Create Your Own Kimono Doll Finger Puppet

This early-twentieth-century kimono, with its long sleeves and bright colors, would have been worn by an unmarried woman for festive occasions. It dates to around the same time as the two Japanese Friendship Dolls shown in the long case on the opposite wall; can you see the similarity to the dolls’ kimonos? The motifs on this kimono include an imperial cart and two fans of the type carried by aristocratic women. A talismanic round floral sachet wraps over one shoulder above flowers and plants of various seasons: pine, bamboo, plum, paulownia, tachibana orange, maple leaves, and chrysanthemum. Such aristocratic and auspicious symbolism expresses high hopes for a young woman’ s future. Three crests across the upper back represent the family that ordered this garment.

A woman wearing a sumptuously patterned kimono is tying her sash (obi).The artist has placed her image against a rich mica ground. There are three variations of this print: a blue/purple impression, a brown/red impression, and a red-only version. The print was published in an edition of about 300 copies.