Just for Jo

My friend Jo asked me a couple of days ago to enter the TIO Challenge and make an Asian Tag so I decided to do something quite different and make an Anesama Ningyoo which means "Elder Sister Doll" in Japanese.  It is ages since I made one of these, probably going back to my Girl Guiding days if truth be known.  The dolls were made by the older sisters/women for the young ones in the lower social classes so that they could be a part of the higher classes, if only in play.  Originally wood and cloth was used but this was replaced by paper so that the youngsters would have more clothes for their dolls.  I wish I still had the one I made from twigs and cloth at one of my themed camps.  Perhaps that is a cue to make another. 


Here is my paper one, complete with tag for the Challenge.

I don't know much about "colour meanings" in Japanese culture but I do know that colours mean certain things to the Chinese so I was conscious of what colours I used.  Red, Black and Gold were banned colours for the Challenge so I went with Yellow for her kimono which is considered the most beautiful colour in China.  As long as I did not make her a hat from Green (green hats are associated with infidelity) I was fine to use the colour as it signifies health, prosperity and harmony.  I had the perfect paper to make her obi from but it was gold so I had to choose green tissue - it worked!


Horror of Horrors - there was no stamping involved so I quickly remedied that with my tag and then attached my Anesama Ningyoo with some wire so that she can be removed and played with.  It is a shame to have the back decorated and not be able to see it.  


So here it is - my entry and a doll for someone to play with - now to think who to send it to.....