Featured Kyugetsu Japanese Doll needs some help

Discussion in 'Antique Discussion' started by 916Bulldogs123, Jan 14, 2023.

  1. 916Bulldogs123

    916Bulldogs123 Well-Known Member

    Since I saw another post on Japanese dolls, I thought i would post this.
    I have had this doll for a while and was originally going to do some repairs and then put her up on a shelf. I have not been able to narrow down her age or even found the exact same sticker that is on the bottom of mine.
    She is 10" tall including the base.
    She has damage to the hands and the beautiful head piece is missing part on one side.
    Probably an easy fix?
    Not really that worried about it. She looks fine to me.
    I would really like to know how old she actually is. The company is over a hundred from what I do know.
    Mikey
    100_8169.JPG 100_8170.JPG 100_8176.JPG 100_8175.JPG
    100_8181.JPG 100_8177.JPG 100_8178.JPG 100_8183.JPG
     
  2. stracci

    stracci Well-Known Member

    Now this one is nice!
    The face and hands are made of gofun, a paste containing ground oyster shells.
    I would say 1950s-70s
     
    Last edited: Jan 14, 2023
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  3. 916Bulldogs123

    916Bulldogs123 Well-Known Member

    Thank you @stracci
    My initial thoughts were 50's. I never knew the meaning of gofun, that is awesome information.
     
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  4. stracci

    stracci Well-Known Member

    I am in no way an expert, but I have a bunch of them.
    Over the years, I have gleaned a lot of information in order to estimate age, etc. Even that paper sticker on the base is a good indicator of her age.
    I also think that many, many dolls made their way to the US with service men between WWII and Vietnam. They were popular gifts for family back home.
     
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  5. kentworld

    kentworld Well-Known Member

    1950s/60s with that sticker. I remember stickers like that and that turquoise colour from my childhood (1960s mostly).
     
  6. charlie cheswick

    charlie cheswick Well-Known Member

    I love it (her)

    I bet she was a joy to photograph
     
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  7. Figtree3

    Figtree3 What would you do if you weren't afraid?

    She is lovely! Beautiful expression on her face.
     
  8. 916Bulldogs123

    916Bulldogs123 Well-Known Member

    Thank you all very much for your comments and information.
    She has joined the group. I'm going to need a bigger shelf lol.
    100_8195.JPG
     
  9. stracci

    stracci Well-Known Member

    I love them!!! Great collection!
    The mommy with the baby is awesome.
    Understanding Japanese dolls can become very complex!
    I find it all very interesting.
     
  10. 916Bulldogs123

    916Bulldogs123 Well-Known Member

    Thank you. She is one of my favorites too.
    It is a learning process for sure. but worth the venture.
     
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  11. stracci

    stracci Well-Known Member

    I just discovered that the "mommy" may actually be the "nanny".

    "Nanny or baby-sitter
    A very young girl, usually with her hair down, dressed in a warm padded coat and modest geta sandals, carrying a child on her back and often with a toy in her hand to amuse the child."

    This reference below explains the doll varieties.

    https://people.clas.ufl.edu/jshoaf/japanese-dolls/floating-world/identifying-geisha/
     
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  12. 916Bulldogs123

    916Bulldogs123 Well-Known Member

    I thought she might be the oldest one I have. Although sadly she is not in very good condition, but she makes the others happy, so she stays.
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  13. stracci

    stracci Well-Known Member

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  14. baltojoe75

    baltojoe75 Well-Known Member

    My mother had several of these dolls and I was told when I was a kid, the hair was made from cornsilk. Is that true?
     
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  15. stracci

    stracci Well-Known Member

    No, it is either human hair or synthetic fiber.
    Perhaps someone thought the hair was made of silk.
    But I have never seen any Japanese dolls with hair made of silk strands.
    (As a side note, when I was a kid, I burned a few strands of Japanese doll hair, to see for myself. Only an acrid chemical smell!)

    Since I am not an expert, maybe someone will correct me.
     
    Last edited: Jan 16, 2023
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  16. 916Bulldogs123

    916Bulldogs123 Well-Known Member

    In the 19th and early 20th century they were human hair and silk. I have only seen one with silk hair in my life. A friends grandmother had one that she said was made 1850s. The most beautiful doll I have ever seen. She was about 30" tall from what I remember. The glass case was black lacquer and sat on a wooden base that was 3' tall. The whole thing was about 6' tall.
    Mikey
     
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  17. stracci

    stracci Well-Known Member

    Last edited: Jan 16, 2023
  18. Figtree3

    Figtree3 What would you do if you weren't afraid?

    Theriault's is a high-end auction house for dolls! I almost ordered that catalog but decided not to.
     
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  19. charlie cheswick

    charlie cheswick Well-Known Member

    Thought of you today Sir mikey when i found this

    @916Bulldogs123

    probably wouldn't have been struck by it if i hadn't seen your original post, guess thats the beauty of this forum

    yours being cute, mines looking haggard and like something from the ring (the original version)

    are the heads supposed to turn around by themselves ?

    theres damage to the hands and nose. but for £1 i think shes great, probably might even keep it instead of money

    hair is made from real hair

    ring1.JPG ring2.JPG ring3.JPG
     
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  20. 916Bulldogs123

    916Bulldogs123 Well-Known Member

    I personally think she is stunning. Beautiful @charlie cheswick She has had a rough life.
    @stracci could probably tell you more about her.
    Mikey
     
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