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Ryūō [Dragon King]
Ryūō [Dragon King]
Ryūō [Dragon King]
Ryūō [Dragon King]
Ryūō [Dragon King]
Ryūō [Dragon King]
Ryūō [Dragon King]
Ryūō [Dragon King]
Ryūō [Dragon King]
Ryūō [Dragon King]
Ryūō [Dragon King]
Ryūō [Dragon King]
Ryūō [Dragon King]

Ryūō [Dragon King]

Regular price ¥350,000
Tax included.

Inspiration for this doll was taken from one of Japan’s traditional performance arts known as Noh.
The concept of this piece came from a particular scene in which the Ryūō makes his appearance in a Noh play. It is a doll with a powerful and dignified aura.
The dragon has been considered a symbol of authority and power since ancient times, counted as one of the four gods who would protect people from disaster and promote prosperity. Also being the only fictitious animal of the Chinese zodiac, the dragon has had a significant presence in the hearts of people since times long past.

From the Kodai-gire, Uchi-zue [hitting cane]*, to the crown, and all of the other details in between, we are provided with a glimpse into just how compassionate the artist was in the crafting of this doll.
The crown—made of silver—was, in fact, a special order piece handcrafted by traditional crafts master and goldsmith Morihito Katsura, a Japanese national treasure. Making the crown in and of itself an incredibly valuable piece of art. This combined with the already imposing doll create an almost divine aura. And of course, with the inspiration for this doll being taken from Noh plays, the Kodai-gire used has also been derived from what was once a Noh stage costume. The dragon pattern used is an incredibly rare one called Gosōryū [five-clawed dragon]. Among the patterns containing dragons, the five-clawed dragon is said to be especially sacred.

There is also an interesting anecdote behind this doll.
After coming across the Noh-style stage base that the doll you see before you stands on, the artist was compelled to create this Ryūō. In other words, if this base had not of existed, this breathtaking doll would have never been born.
The base is specially made from Yakusugi cedar with gold trimming. A chance encounter which gave birth to a king.

*A cane or staff held by dragon gods, tengu, and other legendary creatures to enable their supernatural powers.

Artist
Sumiko Hoshi

Production year
2005

Era of Kodai-gire
Edo period

Usage of Kodai-gire
kimono

Base
cedar, no coating

Size (Doll)
d 24cm w 25cm h 34cm

Size (Base)
d 30.5cm w 37cm h 7cm

Size (Box)
d 36.5cm w 43cm h 48.5cm