Posted 12 years ago
Habuscus
(1 item)
As the title says, I recused this beautiful Geisha doll from a thrift store here in California called Goodwill. Her silver metal sparkly accessories hanging down the side of her face, height, and other factors immediately caught my attention. It was love at first sight! I even decided to name her Himawari (English translation is Sunflower) because of the pattern on her kimono and the hair ornament on her hair.
Any Geisha doll collectors out there who can possibly tell me a bit about her? Things like approximately when it was made, what is the significance of the Samurai helmet in her hand, is she really a geisha or still an apprentice, etc. I have always wanted one of these and I'm glad to have finally own one! I might even start collecting more of these. Haha! Any comment will be appreciated. Thanks!
Aloha Rob! Yeah, I don't think these things are rare per-se, but I have been told that older ones are individually unique since they were usually handmade? I'm no expert about collecting these but I might get addicted. LOL! I'm still hoping an expert can tell me a bit more about them. Perhaps one of your Japanese neighbors can be of assistance?
Off-topic but I just drooled over your record player. Keep vinyl alive!
Mahalo.
Also thank you to the people that hit the Like button. I'll be honest and say taking a look around other Geisha dolls with brighter kimono colors, mine looks a bit dull in comparison. I hope Himawari doesn't get angry because I still love her. :P
I think Himawari is just sublime, she doesn't need garish colors to charm us.
She could be dancing the classical role of Yaegahime, the lovely maiden dancing with a heavy heart, bringing her lover his kabuto (helmet) as he prepares for a fearful battle.
Don't be offended if I point out that I have read this role was typically played by onnagata (male kabuki actors playing female characters) and Himawari does have the red eyeliner the onnagata use. With silk faced dolls I never can understand if the doll maker is representing the personalities of the theater (male) or the subjects of the age-old tales that inspired them (female). In any case, Himawari gracefully portrays the brave spirit of a young woman dreading her man leaving to face the enemy in war.
Wow. Thank you so much for your informative post, Curious. Now I'm questioning if real female geishas wore red eyeliner or was this exclusive to Onnagata? Any case, I truly love your insight of her spirit. Would be wonderful to see your collection as well.