Posted 12 years ago
michelleam…
(59 items)
Another mystery. This was part of my Grandma's dolls, but apart one other much fancier Japanese Geisha in a case, this is very humble, unlike the rest of her collection. The bottom nor the doll, as far as I can tell, have any markings. Has anyone seen a doll like this before? I thought it might be wartime when fancy fabrics were rare?...Thank you, Michelle Amieux
She is unlike any Geisha I have ever seen. She appears to be maybe just a nicely dressed peasant woman? Or, like I say, my feelings are that this was probably a wartime doll when there simply weren't any luxuries to detail the doll with. I LOVE her Humble Graciousness. So opposite the other Asian Geisha, in glass case, that I posted. The opulence is screaming in the second, possibly post war when Japan stopped their defense spending and started getting their pride and economy back in shape. All conjecture, I really have NO IDEA!!! Thank you Bellin.
Michelle this one is very close to yours . Interesting the person that has it for sale was in Japan near where they were they made them ! I did notice yours has no thong slippers on which is unusual and wonder if she was always barefoot ?
Yours is beautiful and her face is so serene .
http://www.ebay.com/itm/HAKATA-Japanese-DOLL-55-years-old-Geisha-Large-doll-NICE-/260964266115?pt=Asian_Antiques&hash=item3cc2aeb083
She was definitely born bare foot. You can see her toes very well, and there is no space where a thong would have been. the bottom of the foot is very flat and attached to the bottom with what looks like a nail per foot. You can't see the nails from the top and she is very secure, but definitely barefoot. That is interesting isn't it? A geisha would have shoes, one would think. I just can't figure this humble little peasant doll out. The beige sash in the middle and a tiny bit around her neck are silk, and not very good quality, I am sure this must have been post War, or during War, when they had no fineries. The kimono is a jute or hemp canvas, very rough, so unusual for a Geisha doll. I love her serene humility.
The base is exactly the same, black painted board with big nails to hold the doll. I do have a clue from you, though, on the bottom it says, on a sticker "Nikko Dolls". I will peruse their photos, see, if I can find anything like this. Did they make simple Peasant Lady dolls? She simply has no flourish, apart the gracefulness of her pose, fingers and toes. She is made of cloth, well I should say, their is a cloth covering on the whole body, the face is hard to tell because it is on a hard surface that makes it look painted, it is, in fact, cloth. I truly wish I could find some mark to identify her. No silk, no umbrellas or hair pieces, she is humble, and that is the most intriguing part to me!!
Manikin, when you said the doll for sale was close to where they are produced in Japan, do you know where that is? Thank you again for all your help. My next posts will include my Mom and Aunt Bobby's Ideal Dolls from the early 40's, (late 30,s). Considering these two dolls were dragged around as dolls will be( I have photos of my Mom at 5 with her doll), they are in good condition. There is also a Carmen Miranda doll from the 40's that is FA-BU-LOUS!! Can't wait for you to see them. I love this site as it is so fun to share the treasures one has kept to oneself for years!!
I think I found the doll you are referring to...
in my opinion I think this is depicting a "usual" Japanese woman.
As Manikin pointed out, the bare feet, and that was how she was nmade, is very revealing. She seemed like a peasant lady to me, but all the other Asian dolls I had seen were so much fancier, I could only assume she was made when resources were scarce. Was there a market for "usual" Japanese women dolls? It is such a strange piece to find in my Grandparents collection. I wish I knew why Grandma kept her for so long...why this doll was so important to her. I guess that will remain a mystery!! Thank you for you kind help iamken, Mich...p.s. I love your CW name!!