We have this beautiful Japanese doll evidently from the 1600-1700s. From my research because the lady is wearing geta and a red undergarment under a brocade kimono it indicates that she may be an Oiran doll. Her sleeves do not appear to be down to the ground so my assumption is that she is not wearing a furisode kimono, those worn by young unmarried women. Can anyone elighten me as to the direction or museum I should consult please?
Yes, oiran would be my guess also (because of the shoes/geta). I'll have to think about museums... maybe a doll museum. It's not the kind of super rare/important/priceless cultural artifact you'd find in a typical museum collection, but it is something that might be in folk art, cultural history museum.
The Yokohama Doll Museum, which specializes in doll collections, is a place where you can come into contact with a variety of dolls from all over the world.
Hi Frank, You have flashing fingers today. I have sent of a query to the Doll museum so we shall see how we go. The second museum is harder to contact. Lets see how it goes!
I have now verified that this is a Courtesan - Oiran Doll (Geisha would be wearing tabi (Japanese foot socks) and low flat Japanese sandals compared to an Oiran who wears very high Geta, hair style (Geisha would have a less complicated hairstyle and be wearing a kushi-comb in her hair) as opposed to the type of Kanazashi (hair stick) the Oiran has in her hair. Had a checklist to compare against. This Oiran's obi is long in depth and believe it is a complicated wedding knot and her kimono is brocade with silk edging. There is a further category high and low class Oiran. Thanks Majestic!