Ningyō - Japanese dolls

This is my collection of Japanese dolls. I have collected all of these personally, having hunted in antique and thrift stores across the country. Some have faces of silk and others are made from gofun - a bisque-like substance made from oyster shells. Most of these probably made their way to America during the post-war period as souvenirs bought by soldiers. Some were probably brought as gifts from tourists and exchange students.

 

They aren't particularly valuable. You can go on eBay and select from the cream of the crop for not much money, but I prefer to seek them in person. There's nothing like finding a silk-draped figure elegantly standing on top of a pile of junk in some store somewhere. They come in all sizes and shapes. Some have very sweet faces. Some have fun stories behind them.

 

I think they are a lovely item to collect.

Done