Japanese "Mask Face" Dolls

This Japanese "mask-face" Asian doll balances a water pail on top of her head.
(Travel Doll)

       Silk-skinned or “mask-face” dolls became a popular craft in Japan in the 1920s and 1930s, allowing the individual to design elaborate kimono for dolls representing women of various periods of Japanese history, particularly the Edo period. Dolls of this type continued to be made and were a popular item for servicemen and tourists to bring back after World War II, though they also might choose dolls representing similar subjects made with gofun faces. 

Above and below, I gave this pair of Japanese Dolls to my younger daughter one
Christmas. I believe they are characters from an opera, but I’m not sure of this.
The lady is dressed in bold reds and blacks. She has a very elaborate hair dressing.

 The male is dressed in black and tan brocade fabrics. Center, is a close up of his upper
torso. Right, Above, is a view of his costume from the back.

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