A Bunka-style Doll
A few years ago, just after I started this blog, I stumbled across a Bunka doll. From my limited understanding, a Bunka doll is a traditional Japanese doll that was popular in the 1950s and 1960s. “Bunka” translates to ‘culture’. The dolls are made in a very specific way, and they wear a bonnet and most often, a one piece dress.
To get a better understanding of what a Bunka doll is, here are a few links: traditional Bunka dolls can be found in the Bunka doll Flickr group; Jamfancy made a sweet Bunka doll using the traditional method; more intricate Bunka dolls can be found here; and Boopsiedaisy makes gorgeous Bunka-inspired dolls seen here.
So when I first stumbled across these dolls, I put them on the top of my “To-Make” list. And it stayed on that list for a very LONG time! But now that I’ve resolved to make more things just-for-fun, I knew that trying to make a Bunka was first off the rank.
I searched the net and found a few tutorials in Japanese, but no pattern pieces. So going on my interpretation of the photos and using my own pattern pieces, I came up with a Bunka-style doll (I know it’s not a true Bunka doll).
I really, really enjoyed making this doll! I’m already planning to make another. There are some things I would change in my next version but I’m really happy with the way she has turned out. I hope to share a tutorial in my next post about how I put this one together :-)
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The auction of Fidelity the Fawn for the Queensland Flood Relief Appeal is still going! Please do bid HERE!
January 19th, 2011 at 10:10 am
Oh she is so cute Jho! You have done a great job, I really love her dress. :)
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jhoanna Reply:
January 24th, 2011 at 8:40 am
Thanks Deb, picking fabric for the dress is definitely half of the fun :-)
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January 19th, 2011 at 1:24 pm
Very cute! I’ve seen those dolls around and always wondered what they were. :)
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jhoanna Reply:
January 24th, 2011 at 8:39 am
Thank you Jill! One of the things I love about these dolls is that you can experiment with their faces. Hoping to try something a little different with future doll faces :-)
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January 19th, 2011 at 4:30 pm
Lovely! I just love the way you’ve painted her face. You’re so talented!
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jhoanna Reply:
January 24th, 2011 at 8:36 am
Thank you Rachel! I will admit that I used markers fr the face as I’m not very confident with my painting skills :-) Hoping to try proper fabric markers next time!
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