Japanese Folk Art Majoke Talisman Dolls Hida Takayama Wood Carving Boxed 2pc0

Japanese Folk Art Majoke Talisman Dolls Hida Takayama Wood Carving Boxed 2pc

£40.00
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Japanese Folk Art Majoke Talisman Dolls Hida Takayama Wood Carving Boxed 2pc0
  • Japanese Folk Art Majoke Talisman Dolls Hida Takayama Wood Carving Boxed 2pc0
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Japanese Folk Art Majoke Talisman Dolls Hida Takayama Wood Carving Boxed 2pc

Japanese Folk Art Majoke Talisman Dolls Hida Takayama Wood Carving Boxed 2pc

£40.00
Item Overview
  • Type: Traditional Japanese Folk Art Figurines / Protective Majoke Shinto Talismans
  • Designer: Hida Region Traditional Woodcarving Artisan
  • Brand: Unbranded Japanese Mingei Craft
  • Manufacturer: Hida Takayama Regional Craft Studio
  • MPN: Does Not Apply
  • Place of Origin: Hida Takayama, Gifu Prefecture, Japan
  • Style: Traditional Japanese Mingei / Rustic Folk Art / Spiritual Guard Wares
  • Colour: Natural Silver-Grey Birch Bark, Deep Crimson Red, Inky Black, and Bright Gold Inscriptions
  • Design Era: Late Showa to Heisei Era (c. 1970s–1990s)
  • Material: Hand-Sawn Natural Birch Branch Wood (Shirakaba) with Intact Native Bark, Mineral-Based Pigments, and Metallic Gold Inks
  • Set Includes: Two (2) Handcrafted Graduated Wooden Talisman Figures and One (1) Traditional Washi-Paper Faced Cardboard Presentation Storage Box
  • Features: Natural Branch Form, Splice-Sawn Display Facets, Hand-Brushed Sacred Kami (Deity) Inscriptions, Stylized Ward-Face Imagery, Organic Textured Bark Backing
  • Condition: Excellent Vintage Condition with Superb Character Patina
  • Size and capacity: The larger talisman measures approximately 6.5 inches (16.5 cm) in height; the smaller companion measures approximately 4.0 inches (10.2 cm) in height
Dating & Historical Context
  • Dating: This evocative pair of spiritual figurines dates from the late Showa to early Heisei period (c. 1970s–1990s). The specific combination of split-branch woodwork, the thickness of the natural birch casing, and the use of gold-pigmented calligraphy ink are all diagnostic of mid-to-late 20th-century regional souvenir wares created for visitors to the historic alpine town of Takayama.
  • Historical Note: Hida Takayama is celebrated across Japan as the historic "Cradle of Woodcraft," famous for its Hida no Takumi (Master Carpenters) who built the ancient imperial palaces of Nara and Kyoto. Alongside grand architecture, a rich culture of Mingei (People's Art) flourished. These particular figures are Majoke—protective spiritual devices designed to be placed near household entrances to shield families from negative energy, illness, or misfortune. The bold central kanji character reads 「神」 (Kami), invoking the protection of local Shinto mountain deities. Rather than squaring off the timber, the artisan left the silver birch bark unpeeled at the rear, keeping the object fundamentally tied to the sacred forests of Gifu.
Description
An exceptionally striking and deeply atmospheric acquisition for collectors of international folk art, Japanese cultural relics, or organic interior design accents, this graduated pair of Majoke talisman dolls carries tremendous graphic power. Each piece is crafted from a single segment of thick birch branch, sliced down at a dramatic angle on the front to create a perfectly flat canvas for the artisan's brushwork. The contrast between the rough, silvery-white natural bark on the back and the vivid crimson-and-gold hand-painted iconography on the front creates a stunning sculptural dialogue.
Expert Identification & Design Features:
  • Sacred Calligraphy: The front of each figure features the protective symbol for Kami (Divine Spirit) rendered in a thick, metallic gold paint that catches the light beautifully against the wood grain.
  • Authentic Birch Casing: The rear and sides retain their original, un-sanded branch bark texture, anchoring the pieces within traditional rustic design philosophies.
  • Original Presentation Box: Accompanied by its original lidded box adorned with textured, gold-flecked Washi paper, making this set a wonderful choice for presentation or gifting.
Condition Report
This Japanese wood-carved set is in excellent vintage condition, exhibiting flawless structural stability and beautiful preservation. The natural birch wood bodies are solid, clean, and free from modern shrinkage splits, insect burrowing, or perimeter edge fragmentation; the silver-grey bark backing remains completely sound and securely bonded to the inner cores. The hand-painted red, black, and gold details remain exceptionally vibrant, showing no fading, flaking, or handling rub across the main faces. The associated storage box is structurally intact with minor handling marks commensurate with careful storage.
Shipping & Logistics
  • Domestic Shipping: FREE UK TRACKED DELIVERY.
  • Packaging: Both wooden figures will be individually wrapped in soft acid-free tissue paper to protect the paint layer, nested inside their original box with high-density cushioning, and placed within a robust outer container for maximum safety during travel.
  • Dispatch: Order before 12.00pm and we ship same day.
Returns & Payment Policies
We want you to be delighted with your heritage find.
  • Not as Described: In the unlikely event of an error in our description, we will provide a full refund and cover the return postage costs.
  • Change of Mind: We accept returns within 30 days; however, in these instances, the buyer is responsible for the return shipping costs.

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