Hi Lynn..welcome back. Seems like you had a great time in Tarpin Springs >>> AND brought back that beautiful 'little guy'!! I just love the colors and the finish on him.
I can't believe he's 99 yrs old. He's in fabulous condition. You're right about the Chinese & Japanese Celebrating the little boy riding on a carp. The festival originated in China. The Japanese then associated it with May rice planting, when insects begin to appear and harm the rice plants. Farmers would frighten away the insects with bright banners. These banners eventually took the form of the carp, the boldest and noblest of the fish.
It became a festival known as Otoko no Sekku", otherwise known as Boys' Day. Celebrated on May 5th - (the 5th day of the 5th month). Families with newborn sons fly beautiful multi-colored carp windsocks outside their homes, wishing their sons a good future. The carp is the symbol of courage, virility and strength. They hope their sons grow up in the same way - brave, strong and successful.
They also display warrior dolls, on tiered shelves which were meant to teach young boys manliness as well as keep them away from evil.
I worked in an International Montessori School, in New York, and we had many Japanese students there. The mothers would come in to celebrate that day with us. They would bring in traditional foods and these Magnificant Warrier Dolls. We would always make those kites, and make oragami warrior dolls. Over the years, I received many of those beautiful dolls, like you show, as gifts, for both Boys & Girls' Day.
As far as what to do with your 'little guy'... If you mean in a tablesetting as a centerpiece?? I would just use very soft colors as accents (pale blue) perhaps, on the table. You seem to have some lovely dishes already that would compliment him nicely. I think he should be the 'Center' of attention. Congratulations on your purchase... He's beautiful!!
jane

Thanks Jane. What great information!
BTW, I was thinking about you every time we ended up at the Sponge Docks this trip. I wanted to head down to the linens shop and take a picture of that owner's mother, if she was still around . . . but I never got to that store. Our sweet 15 y/o DD had DH & I running from one tourist shop to the next. Bless her heart, she loves that place, even though we've been going ever since she was born. She's still too young (IMO) to let her shop on her own, though. When she finally got hungry and tired, we headed to Hellas for lunch . . . and to rest! Funny side note: on the flight home, TSA opened up and inspected both her checked on bags AND her carry on! She had them loaded down with shells and all sorts of touristy things! I'm sure they got a big kick out of it all :~P

I've rounded up some more Asian or Asian-inspired things from around the house that might work and piled them on the table with my statue. Mind you, this is NOT a proposed tablescape, just a pile of possibilities.
Everything piled on the table. Late afternoon is not a good time for these pics. Sorry!
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Close-up of my statue:
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Two Asian ceramic flowers that can be used for candleholders or not:
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I actually have three Asian paintings, although I can't seem to locate one at the moment. That one is black & white. Here's another that usually hangs in our master bathroom:
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The third is in the jumble group pic. Here's a pic of one of the delicate Japanese leaf cups that DH bought me on one of my embroidered Asian placemats that I love.
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Welcome back Lynne. What a neat find. I think your patterned plates really go well with him, as do those asian flower candle holders. In fact, your little collection there makes a nice vignette, don't see why they wouldn't work for a tablescape. ;o) Luvs

I agree w/Luvs...your little vignette does look lovely with him. I'm seeing that the rose and green color accents work well too.
Funny that you thought of that little lady while shopping.
That would have been a hoot if you found her and took a pic.
Your DD sounds cute and it seems like you guys had a nice time shopping together. 'Priceless Moments' to treasure!
jane

Lynn, you have some wonderful things to put together with your new treasure! I can see why you wanted the boy on the fish, he's extremely appealing and sweet. I'm so glad you found him, looks like he was meant for you.

And Jane, thanks for the 'history lesson'. That was fascinating to learn.

hugs, Karen

For a Spring table setting I would use a cloth or placemats the color of yellow that shows in his vest. Use the floral candle holders.

For a summer table setting I would use a light teal colored table cloth to represent water. (If I'm seeing the color correctly). So the boy rides the fish on water. I would use bamboo placemats. And build an ocean scape. May be a good time to use shell accents for napkin holders, candle holders ect.

In the Fall I would play off of the coral color of the fish with black accents. Gold flatware would compliment his 24 K gold accents.

In the winter you could do a black and white table to accent his face and head.

newbie/susie

Lynn, what a great find and aren't you glad you bought him instead of walking away and regretting it later (hate when that happens!) I agree that you already have a nice vignette set up which shows him off nicely. Would love to see what you come up with for a tablesetting.
Jane, that was interesting history on the piece - thanks for sharing!

DD

DD, you're absolutely right, I'm VERY glad I didn't walk away from him. I know it sounds funny, but I'm out in my dining room looking at him at least ten times a day still. Last night I made Shepherds Pie for supper, with a salad and a fruit & cheese platter. My 15 y/o DD commented that it was "very weird to be eating such a non-Asian meal on our green Asian (-looking) dishes with Mom's new Asian tablescape"! DH said he liked it, but felt we should have been eating with our chopsticks. Oh well, I'll move him to his (very nice) display shelf soon, but for now, I'm enjoying seeing him on our table ;^P
Lynn

for your great suggestions on how to use my statue in every season. All great ideas! I'm especially loving the idea of finding a teal or turquoise table runner to emulate a river. I'm starting my search for the right color this morning when I head down to town to run errands.
Many thanks for your suggestions.
Lynn