Where can I find these Japanese dance (buyo) props?
I have been wanting to find dance props similar to these carved lion head hand puppets from the kabuki play "Kagamijishi":
http://www.clas.ufl.edu/users/jshoaf/Jdolls/lionladyt.JPG
can anyone help me out?
It's not clear from the photo that it's actually a puppet...
Bit of history - the Japanese tradition of puppetry, better known as bunraku, began before kabuki started, and much of the style and traditions of kabuki come from the puppetry form of Japanese theatre. So the 'dance prop' that you are showing here is more than likely one of these types of puppets.
You can try antique dealers, or collectible dealers, but it's more than likely it would be very difficult to find.
As mentioned on my blog (http://puppetsinmelbourne.com.au/index.php/faq/2008/04/03/where_to_buy_bunraku_puppets_1)
Japanese puppets don't seem to be sold anywhere, as it is considered a national treasure and seems to be a tightly held craft. Even in Japan it is very difficult to buy puppets. However, you can always try to learn how to make one: http://puppetbuilding.com has some excellent video tutorials, and there are a number of American puppet companies that do bunraku performances. You can also commission a craftsperson or puppet maker to create something similar.
Additionally, on the website you linked to, there was a list of antique dealers you can try:
http://web.clas.ufl.edu/users/jshoaf/Jdolls/sale.htm
Items Recently Purchased From This Site:
Asian Japanese Beauty Bell and Mouse Lucky STATUE Netsuke, Boxwood, Hand-carved, Q2324- Hand carved Boxwood Netsuke - Japanese boy, JAPANESE ANTIQUE KASHIGATA Drawstring Purse w/Cover Hand Carved Wooden Cake Mold, JAPANESE ANTIQUE KASHIGATA Mandarin Duck w/ Cover Hand Carved Wooden Cake Mold , JAPANESE ANTIQUE KASHIGATA Bamboo TAKE with Cover Hand Carved Wooden Cake Mold , JAPANESE ANTIQUE KASHIGATA KAMON Famliy Crest Hand Carved Wooden Mold , JAPANESE ANTIQUE KASHIGATA LOTUS Flower Petal with Cover Hand Carved Mold , JAPANESE ANTIQUE KASHIGATA MOMIJI Maple Leaf & Stream w/ Cover Hand Carved Mold , JAPANESE ANTIQUE KASHIGATA KAKI Persimmon with Cover Hand Carved Wooden Mold , JAPANESE ANTIQUE KASHIGATA Banana with Cover Hand Carved Wooden Sugar Cake Mold , JAPANESE ANTIQUE KASHIGATA TAKENOKO BAMBOO SHOOT w/Cover Hand Carved Wooden Mold, JAPANESE ANTIQUE KASHIGATA BUDO Grape Hand Carved Wooden Sugar Cake Mold , EXQUISITE JAPANESE VINTAGE FINE DETAILED HAND CARVED AMBER JADE TORTOISE/TURTLE, Boxwood Hand-carved Japanese wood Netsuke MON AND SONS, Boxwood Hand-carved Japanese wood Netsuke GOLDEN TOAD A, Boxwood Hand-carved Japanese wood Netsuke MONKEY FACE A, Boxwood Hand-carved Japanese wood Netsuke GREATTOTEM A+, Boxwood Hand-carved Japanese wood Netsuke HELL DOG A+++, Boxwood Hand-carved Japanese wood Netsuke GOLD SNAKE A+, Boxwood Hand-carved Japanese wood Netsuke CICADA A+++++, Boxwood Hand-carved Japanese wood NetsukeDOUBLEELEPHENT, Boxwood Hand-carved Japanese wood Netsuke BARREL DOG A+, Boxwood Hand-carved Japanese wood Netsuke SLEEPING CAT+, *Ship From U.S* Boxwood Hand Carved Japanese Netsuke Sculpture Goldfish Big Tail, Handcarved Jade Japanese God - Estate Find - Jade Figure - Jade Figurine, Vintage Hand Carved Japanese Scene Mt Fuji Jewelry Box w/ Contents, Vintage Japanese Chitose Air Base Hand Carved Bear - Lieutenant General, JAPANESE KO OMOTE HAND CARVED WOODEN MASK Camphor Tree NOH Dance, CHINESE KOREAN JAPANESE ASIAN HAND CARVED WOODEN WRITING GOOD LUCK BLESSING , Rare Vintage Japanese Hand Carved - Painted Kabuki Theater Doll figurine_Meiji?,
