I hope you will enjoy a new friend for Hitty, Takara, a Japanese paper doll. Takara means 'A Treasure' in Japanese, and I certainly thought little Takara was a treasure when she came to live with Hitty Henrietta. Takara is a early- to Mid-Twentieth century Japanese doll set, probably made for export to the U.S. These dolls can often be found in a six to seven inch size, perfect for a Hitty Friend!

Sometimes these doll sets would come with removable clothes, or with extra outfits, shoes, umbrellas, or other accessories. They almost always came with three or six wigs, to demonstrate Japanese hairstyles. Sometimes they had a wood and wire stand, and the entire set was usually packaged in a nice wooden box, although they are occasionally packaged in cardboard. When the sets were new the doll and all of her wigs were wrapped in plastic for protection.

This type of doll was made with glass eyes, composition parts, and an oyster-shell composition skin called Gofun. The basic doll is usually made of a head/torso piece, with arms up to mid-forearm and legs up to mid-calf also made of composition and covered in Gofun. The upper arms were simple wire, sometimes covered in fabric, and the a tube of paper or cardboard would compose the doll's lower torso and most of her legs. The composition feet, ankles and lower calves would be glued to the bottom of the tube.

The idea of making Takara into a paper doll set was suggested by the talented paper doll artist, Sally Monk Hicks, who has collaborated with me to make Takara into a paper doll. I hope you will enjoy adding Takara to your Hitty Paper Doll Collection!