h. 11 x w. 5.063 x d. 5.063 in.
(w. 12.859 x d. 12.859 cm)
Credit Line
U.S. Senate Collection
Accession Number
85.00016.000a
Object Description
This doll is one of a pair accepted by a senator on behalf of the United States in 2013 as a gift from a government official of Japan. Doll making is a traditional craft in Japan, and dolls have long been used for display and in festivals and religious ceremonies. They also have a long history as diplomatic gifts; Japan first presented dolls to the United States as part of treaty negotiations in 1854. Bijin-ningyō is a category of traditional Japanese dolls made for display that depict beautiful figures, often wearing elaborate textiles and holding accessories such as parasols, fans, or flowering branches. This doll is costumed in a red silk kimono and holds a fan in its right hand. As with all foreign gifts, its acceptance and use are governed by the Foreign Gifts and Decorations Act (5 U.S.C. § 7342).
