Bradley-type Doll, Mermaid, & Kappa, Japan Reference Gallery

• 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.

Animal dolls produced by SHIBATEN include:

• Blue monkey on a swing holding a banana
• Kappa water Spirit
• Seeking more info on additional dolls.

Known makers of mermaid and Kappa, & Animal Big-Eye Pose dolls:

• SHIBATEN - MR. KAZUYOSHI TAKEHASHI OF TOSA - Futaba Doll Atelier
• Mermaid doll maker - Seeking information on the maker
  Bradley?

Known face painters of SHIBATEN dolls include:

• MR. KAZUYOSHI TAKEHASHI OF TOSA

Hang Tags found on mermaid dolls:

• Seeking examples

Hang Tags found Kappa turtle dolls include:

• This seal guarantees Top Quality & Workmanship Beware of Imitations
• The backside of the same foil tag reads: THE ORIGINAL SHIBATEN (F) HANDCRAFTED IN JAPAN

Mermaid doll attached to other items include:

• Picture frame
• Purse
• Shell

Booklet style hangtag reads:

•  -- All ABOUT THE KAPPA -- This strange little character has great significance and meaning in the folklore of old Japan. Long, long ago, it is believed that He, and His Friends journeyed all the way -indecipherable- through the -indecipherable- deserts and mountains to finally land on Japan's large southern island of Kyushu. The "Kappa" are the traditional water spirits of Japan-small in size (about three feet tall) -but possessed with great physical strength. This strength is supposedly derived from a plate of water carried on their heads. Should it dry up, their power is lost. This beautiful old legend about the Funny little "Water Spirits" is still taken seriously in the new Japan of Today.

Written paperwork accompanying Kappa dolls include:

• THE ORIGINAL "SHIBATEN" DOLL - Origin & Maker "The Futaba Doll Atelier - Tosa - Sole USA Distributor - Mary Clair, Imports, Laguna Beach, Calif. (Pronounced SHE-BA-TEN)
• THE ORIGINAL "SHIBATEN" DOLL - Origin & Maker - Sole USA Distributor - Mary Clair, Imports, Laguna Beach, Calif. (Pronounced SHE-BA-TEN)
• The Original SHAIBATEN" DOLL - This is the ORIGINAL 'SHIBATEN" DOLL, originated and perfected after long and painstaking efforts by Mr. Kazuyoshi Takahashi of Tosa, who has finally been able to realize his dreams of producing a doll humorous and loveable and mischievous, whose construction permit you to change its pose to countless other ones quite easily, giving the impression that it is sometimes alive and moves when not looking. You will enjoy having it in your home, and we hope you will treat it with affection as each doll has been most carefully handmade and treated by the local housewives and girls in the Toso district. Explanation of "Shibaten" The "Shibaten" whose powerful name is well known in the district Tosa, of located on the island of -indecipherable-

Painted onto items the Kappa is holding include:

• SHIBATEN

Ink stamped on Kappa bottoms include:

• JAPAN

Burnt or stamped into the wood of base bottoms include:

• JAPAN
• Made in Japan

Stickers found on the lower back of mermaid dolls include:

• Made in Japan - red on gold foil,
• MadeinJapan - black on gold foil

Stickers found under the Kappa wooden stand include:

• Futaba Dollatelier "Shibaten" - Yellow oval metallic sticker
• Futaba Dollatelier - KOCHI - Yellow oval metallic sticker
• IMPORTS - Enesco - JAPAN - red and gold metallic sticker

Sticker and decals found on SHIBATEN Dolls' boxes include:

• Tall red, Japanese symbols -"SHIBATEN" DOLLS - MANUFACTURED IN JAPAN

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.