PRESENTED IS A PAIER OF EXQUISITE VINTAGE SIGNED JAPANESE SOLID STERLING SILVER & ENAMEL FIGURINES DOLLS DEPICTING THE LEGEND OF THE CONTENTED COUPLE ( JOU AND ABU ) OF TAKASAGO NOH STORY , THESE FIGURES ARE BELOVED IN JAPAN AND SYMBOLIZE LONG LIFE AND HAPPINESS.(PERFECT WEDDING GIFT) THE WONDERFULLY FORMED HIGHLY DETAILED FIGURINES ARE SIGNED ON THE BACK AND STAMPED TO THE BOTTOM WITH JAPANESE STERLING SILVER MARK GIN-SEI AND MARKE 970 (ALMOST PURE SILVER AND OF HIGHER PURITY THAN STANDARD STERLING SILVER 925) .
SIZE : THE OLD MAN MEASURES APPROXIMATELY 1 5/8 OR 4 cm WIDE X 3 INCHES OR 7.5 cm IN HEIGHT, THE OLD WOMAN STANDS 2 3/4 OR 7 cm HIGH X 1 3/8 INCHES OR 3.5 cm WIDE .
WEIGHT : THE COMBINE WEIGHT OF THE DOLLS IS 61 GRAMS OR 2.1 OZ.
CONDITION : THE DOLLS ARE IN EXCELLENT VINTAGE CONDITION WITH ONLY MINOR AGE WEAR AND LIGHT TARNISH AS CAN BE SEEN WITH NO BREAK , NO DAMAGE AND NO REPAIR .
Takasago, the legend of the contented couple, is one of Japan's oldest and is performed in the Noh Theater story by the same name. Takasago is actually the location of the tale. The old man is called Jou and the old woman Uba, and as a couple they are called Jotomba. Deeply devoted in life, the old couple passed away within moments of each other and their spirits were transformed into pine trees: he a black pine and she a red. They are most commonly depicted with the woman on the right (as we face them), the man on the left, and often a pine tree in the background. It is not unusual to see them accompanied by a cranes, as well as other felicitous symbols. This couple are Jo and Uba, the old man and woman representing the spiritual love of two pine trees in the Noh play Takasago. This is one of the most common subjects for story dolls, as it was considered an appropriate wedding gift. She sweeps out the bad, he rakes in the good, so they enact a proverb as well as recalling the play. Jou is always shown to carry a rake and Uba a broom. As she sweeps away all sorrow and ill fortune, Jou takes care to rake in the blessings of the past. They are an excellent reminder of the joy and contentment that comes from striving through life's challenges in a devoted and loving relationship. This makes them ideally suited to be placed on display for all new undertakings. You will find their images portrayed at weddings, anniversaries, and New Year celebrations.