A charming pair of traditional clay folk dolls Yamaguchi Ningyo (山口人形), a folk craft tradition originating from Niigata Prefecture, Japan. Created for the Year of the Dragon in 2000 (平成12年・辰年), these colourful figurines are inspired by the famous Chinese novel Journey to the West (西遊記).
The pair depicts Gyokuryū (玉竜), the Jade Dragon, and Sanzō Hōshi (三蔵法師), the Buddhist monk riding his white horse.
According to the legend, Gyokuryū was originally a dragon prince, the son of the Dragon King of the Western Sea. After being rescued by the Bodhisattva Guanyin, he was transformed into a white horse to carry the monk Sanzō Hōshi on his sacred journey to India in search of Buddhist scriptures.
The two figurines beautifully represent the dragon's original form and his transformation into the faithful white horse.
The dragon is painted in vibrant cobalt blue with colourful floral decorations and carries a golden sphere inscribed 玉竜 (Gyokuryū), 2000年 辰年 (Year of the Dragon 2000). The accompanying figure features the monk dressed in blue robes, seated upon a decorated white horse.
A delightful example of Japanese folk craftsmanship, combining traditional storytelling, playful forms, and vivid hand-painted details.
Size: 13 x 6 x 17cm (Each)
