Kanban or shop sign. The sign indicates that the store sells or manufactures ornamental pin holders for the oars on a boat (ireko), in the shape of dolls. According to the sketch pasted to the back of the kanban, this holder is mounted on the oar and is placed over a pin mounted on the boat edge. The oar pivots around that pin, so that the oar moves the boat through the water.
The pin holders are decorated as male and female dolls dressed in court style, their mouths wide open. The words "ireko ningyo" are branded into the wooden board. On the back of the board paper label with a flying plover and the words "ireko ningyo"; another paper label shows the proper names of the different parts of a rowing oar. Ireko ningyo is almost a play of words. It means nesting dolls (doll in doll in doll), but it also means pin holder on an oar in the shape of a doll.
Wood with color pigments, iron nails. Mingei (folk art).
Japan, early 20th century
Measurements: W 19 in.; H 8 to 10.75 in.
Paint almost completely weathered away, upper part of board missing, old repairs with iron nails
