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Japanese Men, Women & Children Statues

Japanese statues are influenced by religion more than any other Japanese art form. Most Japanese statues throughout history have been produced as accessories to some form of worship, whether for Shinto animistic practices or Buddhism. This is especially true in the beginning of the 5th century when the majority of human figures depicted through Japanese statues were religious figures. These included the ceremonial primitive doll-like dogu, Buddha, and bodhisattvas. Most of these statues were made of bronze.

By the Muromachi period, Japanese portrait sculpture flourished both in religious and secular art. Sculptors began depicting Zen Buddhist masters and icons, while the art of creating Noh masks emerged.

During the Tokugawa or Edo period (1603-1868), statues became increasingly secular. The Japanese people became disinterested with Buddhism and instead began to form images of people from famous royal figures to geisha to everyday workers. These statues were made of bronze, wood, or porcelain. Today, even though the Japanese have learned Western techniques, Japanese sculptors choose to sculpt from materials in their environment. Therefore, most sculptures are made of wood.


Quick Facts

  • Noh is a form of Japanese theater that has been performed since the 14th century. Actors in Noh theater wear masks, which are standard throughout all plays, in order to allude to a preexisting character or set of behaviors
  • Many Japanese statues of people take the form of dolls, which were thought to have the ability to capture evil spirits. These figures were set out to protect children and were later destroyed in an annual ceremony
  • One of the most famous Japanese sculptors is Unkei, who lived around 1150-1223. He was a devout Buddhist who specialized in traditional Buddhist sculpture. His claim to fame is his ability to create very detailed, dynamic, and even delicate largescale works

Recommended Items at Auction

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Antique Japanese Carved Ivory Squash Blossom
Jun 15, 10:00 AM MST
Antique Japanese Carved Ivory Squash Blossom
by R & R Auction INC
Est: $0- $0
$28013 Bids
Antique Signed Japanese Hand Carved Ivory Man
Jun 15, 10:00 AM MST
Antique Signed Japanese Hand Carved Ivory Man
by R & R Auction INC
Est: $0- $0
$706 Bids
2 Antique Carved Ivory Japanese Gods Sculpture
Jun 15, 10:00 AM MST
2 Antique Carved Ivory Japanese Gods Sculpture
by R & R Auction INC
Est: $0- $0
$656 Bids
Signed Japanese Carved Ivory Man & Child Sculpture
Jun 15, 10:00 AM MST
Signed Japanese Carved Ivory Man & Child Sculpture
by R & R Auction INC
Est: $0- $0
$405 Bids
Japanese Marine Ivory Figure Group,
Jun 15, 10:30 AM AEST
Japanese Marine Ivory Figure Group,
by Aalders Auctions
Est: AUD200- AUD400
AUD2405 Bids
"Kôbô-daishi - Kûkai" Escultura de madeira policromada e lacada Séc. XVIII Dim. aprox.: 29 x 27 x 21 cm
Jun 16, 7:00 PM WEST
"Kôbô-daishi - Kûkai" Escultura de madeira policromada e lacada Séc. XVIII Dim. aprox.: 29 x 27 x 21 cm
by Palácio do Correio Velho
Est: €600- €1,200
€6004 Bids
Japanese Carved Ivory Bearded Man w Turtle, 19th C
Jun 18, 10:00 AM EDT
Japanese Carved Ivory Bearded Man w Turtle, 19th C
by Everard Auctions and Appraisals
Est: $300- $500
$2002 Bids
Japanese Carved Ivory Figure of Man & Child, 19th C
Jun 18, 10:00 AM EDT
Japanese Carved Ivory Figure of Man & Child, 19th C
by Everard Auctions and Appraisals
Est: $500- $700
$3252 Bids
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Antique Japanese Heavy Bronze Kabuki Noh Statue Sculpture
Jun 15, 2:00 PM MST
Antique Japanese Heavy Bronze Kabuki Noh Statue Sculpture
by Ace Of Estates
Est: $0- $0
$102 Bids
Japanese Carved Erotic Figure Group,
Jun 19, 10:00 AM AEST
Japanese Carved Erotic Figure Group,
by Aalders Auctions
Est: AUD300- AUD400
AUD2401 Bid
JAPON, VERS 1930, DIGNITAIRE
Jun 18, 2:30 PM CEST
JAPON, VERS 1930, DIGNITAIRE
by Accademia Fine Art
Est: €140- €180
€1201 Bid
JAPON, D'EPOQUE COLONIALE VERS 1930, SAMOURAÏ À CHEVAL
Jun 18, 2:30 PM CEST
JAPON, D'EPOQUE COLONIALE VERS 1930, SAMOURAÏ À CHEVAL
by Accademia Fine Art
Est: €200- €400
€1201 Bid
Japanese Carved Ivory Standing Demon Figure
Jun 18, 10:00 AM EDT
Japanese Carved Ivory Standing Demon Figure
by Everard Auctions and Appraisals
Est: $300- $500
$1751 Bid
Japanese Carved Ivory Figure,
Jun 15, 10:30 AM AEST
Japanese Carved Ivory Figure,
by Aalders Auctions
Est: AUD200- AUD400
AUD1601 Bid
Japanese Carved Erotic Figure Group,
Jun 19, 10:00 AM AEST
Japanese Carved Erotic Figure Group,
by Aalders Auctions
Est: AUD300- AUD400
AUD2401 Bid
Japanese Carved Erotic Figure Group,
Jun 19, 10:00 AM AEST
Japanese Carved Erotic Figure Group,
by Aalders Auctions
Est: AUD300- AUD400
AUD2401 Bid
Japanese Marine Ivory Figure,
Jun 19, 10:00 AM AEST
Japanese Marine Ivory Figure,
by Aalders Auctions
Est: AUD60- AUD80
AUD301 Bid
A bronze Fukurokuju
Jun 18, 2:30 PM CEST
A bronze Fukurokuju
by Casa D'aste Guidoriccio
Est: €150- €200
€800 Bids
Japanese Carved Jadeite Figure, on wood base. Seated man with beard c1950
Jun 22, 10:00 AM PDT
Japanese Carved Jadeite Figure, on wood base. Seated man with beard c1950
by Carnegie's Auction Gallery
Est: $60- $80
$500 Bids
Japanese Carved Jadeite Figure on wood base Kneeling woman with with lute c1950
Jun 22, 10:00 AM PDT
Japanese Carved Jadeite Figure on wood base Kneeling woman with with lute c1950
by Carnegie's Auction Gallery
Est: $60- $80
$500 Bids
明 韋馱菩薩
Jun 30, 11:00 AM JST
明 韋馱菩薩
by Auspicious Auction
Est: ¥0- ¥0
¥30,0000 Bids
清 黃玉嬰戲雙童把件
Jun 30, 11:00 AM JST
清 黃玉嬰戲雙童把件
by Auspicious Auction
Est: ¥0- ¥0
¥30,0000 Bids
Lote en porcelana japonesa, C. 1900. Formado por: Grupo d
Jun 25, 5:30 PM CEST
Lote en porcelana japonesa, C. 1900. Formado por: Grupo d
by Magna Art Auctions
Est: €0- €0
€1800 Bids
漢 彩繪拱手陶立俑
Jun 30, 11:00 AM JST
漢 彩繪拱手陶立俑
by Auspicious Auction
Est: ¥0- ¥0
¥20,0000 Bids

Sellers Who Sell Japanese Men, Women & Children Statues


Aalders Auctions

Aalders Auctions

Dees Auction Company,LLC

Dees Auction Company,LLC

Everard Auctions and Appraisals

Everard Auctions and Appraisals

R & R Auction INC

R & R Auction INC