Doll

Doll

Doll representing nobleman (Kuge) A: Separate head molded from wood paste and dipped in gofun (oyster shell powder). Painted grey eyebrow spots on forehead (denoting nobility) black eyebrows red mouth turned downward black under hair. Black silk fiber hair pulled back to top of head and wound with black cord allowing the unbound part at the end to fan out over the middle top of the head two long moustaches hang from the upper lip and two long strands of beard hang from the chin. Wood spike at bottom of neck fits into body. Head may be married (not original head for this body). B: Body is sitting cross legged and arms are held away from the body with elbows pointed out to each side. The handsmade of wood dipped in gofun are held in front of the chest are stretched out towards each other with fingers together; white painted wood feet (maybe replacement feet); base of the doll is wooden. The clothing consists of a faded green brocade with a pattern of purple and white flowers and yellow ivy and leaves; collar around the neck covering five layers of underrobe collars. Beneath is a cream colored brocade with orange and greenish brown pattern; next is dark olive brown and the last three layers are eri collars which are cream color. The robe has a panel in front which tucks in at the waist and from the waist hanging over the crossed legs is a "hirao" of cream damask with couched green white and orange silk thread in a curled design. The crossed legs are sheathed in cream colored checkered silk damask with orange cuffs near the feet. The upper leg has lost its covering of silk damask and only the paper backing is left. On both legs there is a cut in the knee area which is stitched with green silk thread and exposes the orange silk underneath. Under the green robe sleeve edge are 3 layers of underrobes: cream brocade with black border with purple blue green orange and brown embroidery; next layer of orange damask and the innermost one of cream brocade with orange green and brown embroidery. In the back is a belt with a strap arching upward with a cream damask panel draped over and lined with black silk; black lacquered paper belt and strap. 7 little square pieces of wood are sewn onto the belt.

1993.004.091