A joyful Bronze Okimono pair of Sambaso dancers on a wood base. (Japanese, late 19th Century)

Bronze Okimono pair of Sambaso dancers.

Two joyful bronze and multi-metal Sambaso dancers on a wood base. Their kimono are decorated with long-tailed tortoises and cranes – symbols of longevity. One of the men carries a fan, whilst the other is holding a small drum.

Sambaso

Sambaso is a dance often performed as a prelude to a drama, it is very popular in Japan and is often performed on the streets or privately for select guests. The origins of the dance are believed to date back to the Nara period (AD 800), it was performed to stop the advancement of some volcanic fissures which had opened up in the ground. The dance was a success and has been popular ever since. Performers are dressed in wide sleeved kimono with emblems of longevity on it, and usually wear tall hats with a red disc of the sun, they sometimes wear the mask of Okina the old man, they will usually carry fans and sticks.

Tortoise

In Japan the tortoise symbolises longevity, good luck and support, it is the symbol of Kumpira, the God of seafaring people.

Red Crowned Crane

The red crowned crane is a much-revered bird. It is a symbol of strength, good fortune and longevity.

The Crane was thought to live for 1000 years. In captivity, red crowned cranes have been known to live for 75 years making them one of the longest lived birds. The red crowned crane is currently endangered due to loss if it’s wetland habitat with less than 2000 individuals in the wild, about 950 of these being in Japan

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This object is eligible for a Certificate of BADA Provenance

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