A pair of Edo period antique Japanese Zuishin dolls, the Imperial bodyguards traditionally placed in the Hina-matsuri (Doll Festival) display to protect the Emperor and Empress. This pair represents the traditional duo known as the Left Minister (the older guard) and the Right Minister (the younger guard), symbolising wisdom and strength. This pair belongs to a high-quality Kokin-bina set. Kokin-bina is famous for its revolutionary realism, and the vivid character shown in their faces is a classic hallmark of Edo craftsmanship. The older guard shows a very expressive stern face with fine details and a ominous presence, while the younger guard has a slightly calmer, more intense expression, creating a a dynamic that brings the pair to life. The heads and hands are finished in traditional gofun, made from powdered oyster shell. The hand-painted facial features and eyes remain sharp and expressive despite their age. Both dolls are dressed in formal court hunting-style robes, made of antique silk brocade woven with floral and geometric patterns, reflecting the luxurious style typically seen in Kokin-bina displays. The younger guard holds the original arrows an sword. The older guard holds two arrows on his shoulder, the arrows and bow are newer, the bow and arrows he comes with were added by previous antique shop, you can see old bow piece broken in hand, the sword is original. They sit on their original wooden blocks in the traditional quarding posture. Visible hairline cracks and some peeling are present on the gofun surface of both dolls, which is typical for items of this era. The original hair is mostly missing. The silk robes are in a good condition , with little fraying. Please refer to the photos for details. Older figure doll 24 cm x 15 cm x 15 cm Younger guard doll 21 cm x 14 cm x 14 cm