JAPANESE MEIJI PERIOD CARVED WOOD AND IVORY FIGURE OF A PRIEST circa 1868-1912, the standing figure holding a fan carved of mother of pearl, body and hat carved in wood, the robe motifs to each of the figures clothing inlaid with carved mother-of-pearl and abalone, a carved ivory purse hangs on the belt, head, hands and feet carved in ivory, holding a puppet doll carved of wood and bone, on square stand, 26cm high Note: This piece depicts the Japanese magical practices of the Oharai, the ritual form of purification performed by Shinto priests. A wooden stick symbolizing a bridge between the humans and the supernatural realm was used in that ritual along with other objects, and dolls in the forms of miko priestesses were invited as the vehicles for transmitting divine messages to people.