Ever since the mid-Edo Period, Gosho dolls, literally ‘Imperial Palace dolls’ and characterized by chubby figures, fair skin, small hands and legs, large heads, and simple eyes and noses, have been made in Kyoto.
After making the base, with wood-carving or nerimono (kneading sawdust from paulownia or other types of wood with glue, shaping it, then painting it once the piece is dry) techniques, gofun (whitewash pigment made from ground clamshell, namely calcium carbonate) was painstakingly applied and the structure was finally polished. Many types of unclothed infant figures were made, which could then be dressed in simple clothing or provided with a variety of tools.
These ‘Gosho Ningyo’ or ‘Imperial Palace dolls’ are so-called because they were originally given in return for gifts presented to the Imperial Palace by feudal lords.