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Ono-no-Komachi

Teenage Doll
1990-1999 (manufactured)
Artist/Maker
Takara
Place of origin
Japan (manufactured)

card box printed in colours on pale pink to show the title and illustrations of a Japanese lady sealed against a fan shape background
small all vinyl doll, dressed in Japanese kimona possibly representing the Empress from the Girl's Festival
black plastic upright stand marked FASHION & SCENERY with the maker's detail underneath
square black plastic platform and clear plastic folder which form a display case
all lettering in Japanese

Object details

Object type
Teenage doll
Parts
This object consists of 5 parts.

  • Doll
  • Stand
  • Case
  • Box Lid
  • Box Base
Titles
  • Ono-no-Komachi (manufacturer's title)
  • Special Edition Licca (manufacturer's title)
  • Beautiful Japanese Lady
Materials and techniques
printed card, moulded vinyl and plastic
Card
Soft Vinyl
Plastic
Printed
Moulded
Brief description
Takara Co Ltd, Japanese, 1990s
Physical description
card box printed in colours on pale pink to show the title and illustrations of a Japanese lady sealed against a fan shape background
small all vinyl doll, dressed in Japanese kimona possibly representing the Empress from the Girl's Festival
black plastic upright stand marked FASHION & SCENERY with the maker's detail underneath
square black plastic platform and clear plastic folder which form a display case
all lettering in Japanese
Dimensions
  • Length: 12in
  • Width: 10.5in
  • Depth: 4in
Production typemass produced
Marks and inscriptions
©TAKARA CO LTD (underside of stand; moulded)
Credit line
Given by the Japan Toy Culture Foundation
Object history
Licca-chan was the name given to a doll developed in 1976 by Takara. The company wanted to make a smaller 'Barbie' type for Japanese girls and up to 2000, 4,300,000 dolls have been made and the club for girls has 15,000 members.

Both dolls were presented to the museum by Toyohiko Sato, of The Japan Toy Culture Foundation.
Historical context
Letter from Toyohiko Sato, December 25, 2000 to Caroline G Goodfellow in response to an enquiry. Details as follows:-
'Ono no Komachi' is the Japanese name for the doll and it is also the name of a famous female Japanese poet from 'Heian Period', 794-1185. She was also famous as an incredibly beautiful woman, similar to Cleopatra. Ono is the city where it is believed she was born.
Ono is also the city where Takara's most popular doll 'Licca-chan' factory and museum is located (Licca-chan Castle).
Production
Reason For Production: retail
Associated object
B.260-2000 (version)
Collection
Young V&A Collection
Accession number
B.259:1-2000

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Record createdDecember 13, 2000
Record URL
https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O50472/ono-no-komachi-teenage-doll-takara/
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