Dolls

Silk-skinned or "mask-face" dolls became a popular craft in Japan in the 1920s and 1930s, allowing the individual to design elaborate kimono for dolls representing women of various periods of Japanese history, particularly the Edo period. Dolls of this type continued to be made and were a popular item for servicemen and tourists to bring back after World War II, though they also might choose dolls representing similar subjects made with gofun faces. Kuroda bushi, Hakata ningyō Bisque dolls are made of fired clay. Fukuoka is a traditional center of the manufacture of bisque dolls, and Hakata ningyō are famous throughout Japan.Each Japanese doll was equipped with a variety of accessories, including lacquer chests, a silk parasols, two pedestal lanterns, passports, steamship tickets, and goodwill letters.When the 58 Japanese Friendship Dolls arrived in the US, they were greeted warmly and went on a tour of the country for several months before being distributed to museums in the various states.