Michiko and Kanko Japanese Friendship Dolls

Manufactured Doll

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St. Joseph Museums

The image depicts a traditional Japanese doll adorned in an elaborately patterned kimono that features shades of orange, gold, and cream, with intricate designs and textures. The doll's face is porcelain-like and has serene, delicate features, exuding a calm expression. She is holding a small decorative item tied with orange string, adding a touch of contrast to her outfit. Her long, black hair is styled elegantly with an orange accessory at the top, further enhancing the doll's cultural authenticity and aesthetic appeal. The background is a deep, dark shade, which emphasizes the vibrant colors and fine details of the doll's attire and accessories.

The image depicts a traditional Japanese doll adorned in an elaborately patterned kimono that features shades of orange, gold, and cream, with intricate designs and textures. The doll's face is porcelain-like and has serene, delicate features, exuding a calm expression. She is holding a small decorative item tied with orange string, adding a touch of contrast to her outfit. Her long, black hair is styled elegantly with an orange accessory at the top, further enhancing the doll's cultural authenticity and aesthetic appeal. The background is a deep, dark shade, which emphasizes the vibrant colors and fine details of the doll's attire and accessories.

Name/Title

Michiko and Kanko Japanese Friendship Dolls

Entry/Object ID

2021.42.1

Description

Glass case containing the 1998 Japanese Friendship Dolls Michiko and Kanko, along with a tiger doll, a bamboo background, two wooden blocks with kanji lettering, and 3 paper information plates detailing how the dolls were given to Bode Middle School. Michiko is a porcelain doll with brown eyes l, pink lips, and long brow hair tied in an orange knot, holding an instrument, dressed in a white, salmon, an orange kimono with light gold and pink flowers along the sleeves, and traditional shoes. Kanko is a porcelain doll named after a famous scholar. He has closed eyes, red lips, short black hair tied into a top knot, dots above his eyebrows, dressed in beige robes with blue vines and golden flowers and leaves, the inside of the sleeves being red, red pants with white pattern stitching, and a black hat tied to his front with white rope. The Tiger is made of white cloth with black lines, orange paws, gold detailing, red lips and ears, brown nose, and a black and white feather holding a golden bell with red and orange string. The case 6 sided case has glass on 4 sides, though the back of the case has a yellow, board panel and a yellow base. The door to the case has a golden knob with yellow string around it.

Context

Japanese friendship dolls were given to promote lasting friendship and peace between Japan and America following WW2. Being given as a gift to Bode Middle School is of great importance to the history of Saint Joseph, Missouri.

Collection

Japanese Dolls

Doll Name

Michiko and Kanko

Dimensions

Dimension Description

Michiko

Height

11 in

Width

7 in

Depth

4 in

Dimension Description

Kanko

Height

10 in

Width

5 in

Depth

5 in

Dimension Description

Tiger

Height

3 in

Width

5-1/2 in

Length

5 in

Dimension Description

Paper Plates

Height

3 in

Width

5-3/4 in

Depth

2-3/4 in

Dimension Description

Block 1

Height

4-1/2 in

Width

3 in

Depth

2 in

Dimension Notes

Wider Block with more Kanji

Dimension Description

Block 2

Height

3-1/2 in

Width

2-3/4 in

Depth

1-1/4 in

Dimension Notes

Shorter block with less kanji

Dimension Description

Case

Height

17 in

Width

16-1/2 in

Depth

14 in

Clothing

Clothing Description

Aside from the porcelain of the head and hands, all clothing and body seems to be made up of one single form.

Parts

Count

9

Parts

Michiko, Kanko, Tiger, 3 Paper Plates, 2 wooden blocks, Case.

Color

Yellow, Gray, Black, White, Gold, Cream, Orange, Red, Tan

Relationships

Related Person or Organization

Person or Organization

Bode Middle School, Yoko Ando