Nihon Ningyo Appraisal

Vintage Japanese Geisha Doll with Silk Kimono and Yoke

This is a vintage Japanese ningyo (doll) depicting a traditional salt-gatherer or farm girl style Geisha. The figure is mounted on a rectangular black lacquer-style wooden base. She features a white bisque or gofun-painted face with hand-painted facial features, including delicate eyes and red lips. Her hair is black synthetic or human hair fibers, topped with a traditional gold and red conical hat. The doll is dressed in a multi-layered miniature silk kimono featuring vibrant red, cream, and gold brocade (nishiki) patterns with floral motifs. A notable feature is the bamboo yoke (tenbin-bo) balanced across her shoulders, carrying two miniature buckets, signifying a folk-tale or rural character. The construction utilizes a wire frame and fabric padding underneath the silks. Condition-wise, the doll shows signs of age-related wear, including slight fraying of the silk edges, dust accumulation on the hair, and some scuffing on the black base. The gold hat appears slightly crushed or creased. Based on the craftsmanship and materials, this piece likely dates from the mid-20th century (Show Era, circa 1950s-1970s) and was common as a high-quality tourist souvenir or export decorative piece. The intricate folding of the kimono and the inclusion of original accessories like the yoke indicate decent craftsmanship for the period.