Kewpie Dolls

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Kewpie Doll Daruma だるまキューピー




Kewpie dolls and figurines are based on illustrations by Rose O'Neill that appeared in Ladies' Home Journal in 1909. These illustrations,which incorporated words and pictures with the recurring Kewpie characters, are considered to be early versions of the comic strip medium. The small dolls were extremely popular in the early 1900s. They were first made out of bisque and then celluloid. In 1949, Effanbee created the first hard plastic versions.

Their name, often shortened to "Kewpies", in fact is derived from "cupid", the Roman god. The early dolls, especially signed or bisque, are highly collectible and worth thousands of dollars. The time capsule at the 1939 New York World's Fair contained a Kewpie doll.
The term "Kewpie doll" is sometimes mistakenly applied to the troll doll.

Many other articles were made using their images, like coloring and poem books, cups, plates, curios, etc. The incredible success of these characters made their creator rich and famous. It's a rare example of a woman becoming successful in the media business at such an early date. Kewpies should not be confused with the baby-like Billiken figures that debuted in 1908.

The Kewpie doll was mentioned in Anne Frank's diary. She received one on her first St Nicholas Day in the Annex from Miep and Bep.
©　More in the WIKIPEDIA !


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Photo from my friend Ishino.



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© PHOTO :　localmokkori


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姫だるまキューピー根付
From Dogo Hot Sprin, a princess Daruma Kewpie


© PHOTO :　dogo.co.jp

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Talisman for Money Making

© PHOTO :　izugourmet


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Here is a big one from Narita
成田だるまキューピー


© PHOTO : naritomi.shop

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kyuupii, kyupi 黄鮒キューピー yellow carp kewpie

. Kibuna, ki-buna 黄鮒 / 黄ぶな yellow crucian carp amulet .
From Utsunomiya, Tochigi


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CLICK on the thumbnail for many more photos !

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Narita Train Line Special Service 川崎大師への初詣に


. Toys and Talismans from Japan .　


Daruma Museum

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