Enkyō era (1744–1748) Donated by Saitō Shōji
Palace dolls, or goshō ningyō, are young children’s dolls that were once popular among the aristocracy in Kyoto. They are characterized by their large, round heads. Dolls like this were often used for celebratory occasions, and the fringe on its forehead is decorated with a thin red line representing mizuhiki, the twisted paper strings used to tie gifts. Aside from its face, this doll is made from papier-mâché, and has a particular expressiveness to its arms and legs.