Kansei era (1789–1801) Donated by Saitō Shōji
Takeda dolls are a type of costumed doll, so named for being modeled on the mechanical puppet shows in Takeda, Osaka. They typically performed elaborate tricks, and were popular among fans of theatrical performances at the time for their ability to skillfully express movement and stillness.
The exaggerated stances and facial expressions in these dolls are characteristic of Takeda dolls. However, these two dolls are thought to have originally been separate works rather than a pair, so the precise story they reference is unclear.