Ichimatsu Doll | Delicate Green Kimono

Named after Sanogawa Ichimatsu, an 18th-century Kabuki actor, Ichimatsu dolls portray little Japanese girls and boys in their holiday silk kimonos. These intricate dolls are particularly valuable in the United States as they have special and historical ties to Japan.

The Friendship Doll Exchange of 1927, a campaign launched by Reverend Sidney L. Gulick, sparked the creation of 58 (32-inch) Ichimatsu dolls, each to be sent as a gift from Japan to the United States. After these so-called 'friendship dolls' sailed to America in 1927, they toured the country.

The aesthetic of these friendship Ichimatsu dolls became quite popular! So popular, in fact, that doll makers began to recreate these beautiful pieces of artwork, attempting to emulate the doll's gentle expression and elaborate kimono.

Ichimatsu dolls adorned in green kimonos, such as the one listed above, are quite rare.

[JASWDC Silent Auction Item Pick-Up Information]

• ALL JASWDC's auction item(s) are available to be picked up by winner(s) either at the Hillwood Estate, Museum, and Garden on the day of the US-Japan Capital Gala (October 20, 2021) or at JASWDC by the end of 2021.
• If you would like JASWDC to ship your item(s), you will be charged the shipping cost*: JASWDC won't be responsible for any damages or losses caused during shipping. *The shipping fee will be round up to the nearest whole dollar amount.
• For gift certificate shipment, JASWDC will mail them to your home address at no cost.
• If you are living outside of the U.S. and joining the Silent Auction, you will be charged shipping costs regardless of whether your winning items are certificates or not.