Isho Costume Doll
Twentieth Century
23.3 cm tall x 10.7 cm wide
Cat. 271682.17
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 doll is of a geisha. She wears a kosode, or short sleeved kimono, worn by older women. A wave pattern originates at hemline and comes up as far as the knee. A white juban, or underkimono, is worn underneath. The obi sash, of silver and black checkerboard pattern, is tied with an overly large hanging knot, but not as extravagant as those worn by the maika women of the set. She wears yellow hair ornaments, a comb and two hairpins, of plastic, probably meant to imitate tortoise shell or jade. The overall more subdued feeling of the style of dress here as compared to the bright colors and extravagance of the clothing worn by the previous two dolls fits with her status as a geisha rather than the younger maika apprentice.


(Commentary by Helena Stenberg)

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