This is not your average geisha! Dressed in an elegant coffee, pumpkin, sky blue and silver threaded brocade, silk  kimono, she stands approximately 18" tall. Her glass case measures 22" h x 13" w x 11" d and her base is about 1" high covered in a gold foil. This particular geisha is poised to play a shamisen which she is holding in her left hand while keeping the plectrum (pick) tucked into her kimono. Her hair is held up by traditional kanzashi (hair accessories) that include the kogai (“sword”), the kushi (comb) and the bira-bira (silver tinkling adornment).

Ningyo (a Japanese word to describe figurines or dolls) depicting geisha are known by various names, including isho-ningyo (fashion or costume doll); bijin ningyo (beautiful women dolls); sakura ningyo (cherry blossom dolls); and ukiyo ningyo (floating world dolls). They have been produced in Japan at least since the 18th century to represent various activities and aspects of daily life, particularly those of the Edo period (1603-1867). Geisha dolls, dressed in elaborate silk brocade kimonos with trademark coiffures, attempted to capture the exotic appearance of the real Japanese geisha, who flourished during this period. Affixed to wooden bases, the geisha are often posed as though they are performing, with hands positioned to grasp a helmet, fan, drum, branch of wisteria or puppet.

This geisha is fairly well preserved with some slight fading on the fabric. A small piece of wood in the back has “To Mr. & Mrs. Sherwood Greenwell 1974.7.20. Captain T. Tsutsui Kaiwi Maru” written on it. It is guessed that it was made in the mid-twentieth century.