Lovely, authentic, vintage Geisha doll, large approx 14 inches, direct from Japan. Bonus black Japanese collectible fan as shown, is included. Must sell due to moving. The glass case alone is worth $50 retail value. This doll is called Shiokumi, based on an ancient Japanese Theater character. The dance is about the shiokumiMatsukaze, a "salt-scooper" who carries seawater for the purpose of making salt. She appears on stage very richly dressed, wearing opulently embroidered garments, a beautiful cloak and a courtier's gold hat (eboshi), which ought to belong to her lover, Ariwara no Yukihira. She carries a pair of pails, painted with waves, on a yoke across her back. The poet Ariwara no Yukihira was exiled to the seashore of Suma, where he had a love affair with two shiokumi sisters, Matsukaze and Murasame. Ariwara no Yukihira was forgiven by the Imperial court and finally left Suma for the Imperial Capital Kyôto. Matsukaze dances to the memory of the poet and expresses her longing for him. In the end, her dancing recalls the sweet memories she had with him.