Hanayome Geisha Doll, Japanese Bride Doll by Nishi Doll Co. c1950

I am pleased to offer a gorgeous vintage hanayome geisha doll, handmade in Japan in the 1950’s. This Japanese bride is styled in the formal nuptial attire, a beautiful traditional wedding kimono (uchikake) and standing on a black lacquered wood stand. Her silk-masked face is finely hand painted and her black hair is beautifully coiffured with elaborate kanzashi decorations under the ceremonial head scarf. The kimono is made out of golden silk kinran brocade with flying crane and flower patterns with inlays of gold, orange and white. Her brocade obi sash belt is red and gold.The hands are wired and bendable and she's holding the traditional wedding fan. She is wearing a soft red skirt underneath and white sandals. The black lacquer base is marked underneath. There is a descriptive label on the stand as well. She is 12" Tall. Beautiful condition This type of decorative Geisha doll has been hand crafted in Japan since the 1920's and became popular during the 40's and 50's, when they were mostly brought into the West as souvenirs and gifts by military personnel after WWII ended. The silk-masked faced Geisha dolls were first designed by Kamimura Tsuyuko, a lady that travelled in Europe and was inspired by French fashion dolls. Before the war, these dolls came to be known as "Furansu Ningyo" French Doll), but during the war they were renamed "Sakura Ningyo" (Cherry Blossom Doll). Some companies, such as Nishi Co. became known for marketing these beautiful hand crafted dolls.