Bradley-type Doll, Chubby Kids Reference Gallery

This reference gallery focuses on Japanese cloth-faced chubby kid doll dolls with mitten hands. It contains other Bradley-type chubby kid makers as well.

Bradley-type Dolls, also called "big-eyed dolls," Kawaii dolls, Shōwa dolls, and pose dolls, were made in Japan roughly from 1954 to 1984. More accurate information as it comes in.

These child Bradley-type dolls were lightweight and constructed over a wire frame, covered in foam, with a stockinet body. Legs were chubby, with big shoes. The faces were exactingly painted, and they wore wigs of very silky synthetic, fake fur or yarn.

Chubby kid dolls were produced in many different types and styles, dressed in simple costumes made of synthetic fabrics. While most sat on their bottoms, musical dolls were seated in chairs while standing dolls in kid outfits or kimonos were attached to a rigid base.

Known makers of Big-Eyed kid pose dolls: 

• ORION
• GAMBLES ORION
• Special Doll
• SUKIYO
• SUKIYO DOLL
• Voguemont Fashion Doll - printed in white in a red heart shaped tag
• Yoshitoku

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.

Hang Tags found on chunky kid dolls include:

• ORION
• Special Doll
• SUKIYO DOLL
• Voguemont Fashion Doll - printed in white in a red heart shaped tag
• Yoshitoku

Stickers found on seated dolls include:

• Seeking info.

Stickers found on top of the stand stating a doll name include:

• Seeking info.

Stickers found on the back of music box frames and under musical doll chairs include:

• Seeking info.

Molded-into-plastic words found on musical doll chairs include:

• Made in Japan
• Japan

Ink stamped onto wooden base include:

• MADE IN JAPAN
• Seeking info.

Woven tags found on dolls include:

• Seeking info.

Woven tags stapled onto the underside of wooden chairs include:

• Seeking info.

Stickers and large decals found on original boxes include:

• YOSHITOKU
• SUKIYO

Printing on doll boxes include:

• Toys - Dolls

Printing on ORION doll boxes include:

• "Dolls" - in a field of blue, red, and yellow bubbles
• "ORION" in a rectangle shape attached to a balloon bouquet

Songs played by musical dolls include:

• Special Doll

Conclusions and findings:

• Handwritten tags stating a doll's country of origin are usually just best guesses. Keep those tags intact!
• Some taller dolls in full gowns had no legs and stood on a cone-shaped, wired frame.
• Bradley Korea Dolls were sometimes made with plastic hands.
• Japanese Bradley Sukito dolls made in the elaborate French gown style are the most well-preserved specimens because many have been preserved in glass cases.

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.