Isho Costume Doll
Twentieth Century
23 cm high x 10.7 cm wide
Cat. 271682.14
Gift of Nathanial Grey
© The Field Museum

This costume doll, part of a set, is of a type commonly known in the West as "geisha dolls", popular among tourists of Japan. While the doll itself is not as nice as better dolls of this or other types, these can show off nicely the different styles of modern kimono wear. This young maika, an apprentice geisha, is dressed for rain, with a traditional bamboo and paper umbrella and pokkuri style geta sandals of wood, popular among maika. She wears a pink furisode, or long-sleeved kimono, with a red nagajuban, or long under kimono, which can be seen at nape and the ends of the sleeves. Her kimono is tied up to keep it away from puddles at the bottom, and the nagajuban can be seen there as well. Her obi sash is tied in a very luxurious but unusual hanging knot, popular among women of the entertainment classes. In front the obiage bustle sash can be seen at the top of the obi. She has several flowered hair ornaments as well. Her furisode has a woven pattern of butterflies and plum blossoms, and her obi also features plum blossoms.


(Commentary by Helena Stenberg)

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