Bradley-Type Dolls, by Gayle Wray

This reference gallery focuses on Gayle Wray's 21.5" tall vintage-inspired, Japanese-style pose dolls with cotton cloth faces and individual fingers. It honors the vintage Shōwa era big eye style, which emerged in the mid-century.

Original Bradley Dolls, also called "big-eyed dolls," Kawaii dolls, Shōwa dolls, and pose dolls, were made in Japan. Bradley Import Co. was founded in 1954. They manufactured them for 30 years, from 1954 until 1984 when the company was bought by Hasbro, who sadly discontinued the line. 

Traditional Bradley dolls were lightweight and constructed over a wire frame, covered in foam, with a stockinette body. Gayle Wray Kawaii series dolls are made with heavier materials. They have a copper wire frame covered with polyester stuffing, encased in a high-quality cotton skin. Each doll's face is individually hand-painted, not stamped.

At this writing, Gayle Wray produced these dolls in a standing with a built-in stand attached to the doll's waist.

Modern makers of Japanese Big-Eye Pose dolls: 

• Gayle Wray, of course
• Ayumi Uyama, whose dedicated gallery is linked at the bottom

Also called "Kawaii dolls."
Definition of 'Kawaii':

• 1. denoting a Japanese artistic and cultural style that emphasizes the quality of cuteness, using bright colors and characters with a childlike appearance. Noun. 2. (in Japanese art and culture) the quality of being lovable or cute.

Also called "Shōwa dolls"
Definition of 'Shōwa:

• The Shōwa era was the period of Japanese history corresponding to the reign of Emperor Shōwa (commonly known in English as Emperor Hirohito) from December 25, 1926, until his death on January 7, 1989.
  
   

Gayle Wray Kawaii Doll names include:

• Coco Kawaii. 11 - 2023
• Kayla Kawaii, 10 - 2023
• Moona Kawaii, 11 - 2023

Hang Tags found on Gayle Wray standing dolls include:

• Cherry Sweet on one side and a doll's name and date on the other, held on with a wrist loop.

Iron-on tags found on dolls include:

• Gayle Wray Dolls

Conclusions and findings:

• Reinventing this style with high-end features should breathe new life into the collecting and appreciation of pose dolls.

Related Bradley Galleries:

• Japan, Bradley Doll, Reference Gallery:https://www.gaylewraydolls.com/store/pc/Bradley-Doll-Japan-Reference-Gallery-32p213.htm
• Korea, Bradley Doll, Reference Gallery:https://www.gaylewraydolls.com/store/pc/Bradley-Doll-Korea-Reference-Gallery-32p251.htm
• Bradley-type Doll, Gayle Wray Reference Gallery:https://www.gaylewraydolls.com/store/pc/Bradley-Type-Dolls-by-Gayle-Wray-32p265.htm
• Bradley-type Doll, Ayumi Uyama, Reference Gallery:https://www.gaylewraydolls.com/store/pc/Bradley-type-Dolls-by-Ayumi-Uyama-32p255.htm
• Bradley-type Doll, Chubby Kids:https://www.gaylewraydolls.com/store/pc/Bradley-type-Doll-Chubby-kids-32p262.htm
• Bradley-type Doll, Mermaid, and Kappa, Reference Gallery:https://www.gaylewraydolls.com/store/pc/Bradley-Doll-Mermaid-Water-Spirit-Kappa-Japan-Reference-Gallery-32p254.htm
• Bradley-type Doll, Showgirl, Reference Gallery:https://www.gaylewraydolls.com/store/pc/viewPrd.asp?idproduct=260&adminPreview=1
• Holiday Fair, Japan, Pose Doll, Reference Gallery:https://www.gaylewraydolls.com/store/pc/Holiday-Fair-Pose-Doll-Reference-Gallery-32p214.htm

Bradley and Bradley-type doll sellers include:

• Gayle Wray's website: https://www.gaylewraydolls.com
• Ayumi Uyama's website: http://ayumiuyama.com
• Feeriqueshop: https://www.etsy.com/shop/feeriqueshop
• VintageKitschToys: https://www.etsy.com/shop/vintagekitschtoys

Bradley doll art, prints, and postcard sellers include:

• https://www.etsy.com/shop/LittleMissModShop?ref=l2-about-shopname
• https://www.etsy.com/shop/EmmaMount?ref=l2-about-shopname

Disclaimer: This page is a general guide only and should not be used as a definitive reference to the origin of untagged dolls, as dolls without identifying marks can result in misidentification. Please keep the original tags intact and displayed, or reattach them securely under the dress to preserve the heritage of these fantastic ladies for future generations.