Expert: julia sherman - 3/4/2006

Question
Do you have any information on a Japanese dollmaker named Matsushigi who was a national treasure of Japan?  I have 2 pairs of dolls that are over 40 years old.  They have traditional kimonos made of silk fabrics imported from Japan and were made in Hawaii under the apprentiseship of Matsushigi.  Do you know of any appraisers, dealers, or people that can give information on these dolls?  I live in the southern California area and can't find any sources.  Thank you.

Answer
I do apologize for taking so long to answer. But often I prefer to have a current knowledge and links available so that the person asking can have resources.
However I am having abit of a problem with your request, and it has stumped  me.
The only reference I can find, using the name you ahve provided as the artst is a WWII artist who created solid clay " screaming" dolls of the A-Bomb drop zones. Oftenwith defects that resemble the type that people suffer from radiation poisioning.
I can find no current listing for an Artist by this spelling or name in the full living treasures list.
What I can do is recommend
Judi Shoaf runs Japan dolls www.clas.ufl.edu/users/jshoaf/Jdolls/
Kyoto Japanese Folk Dolls Museum
The Field Museum,1400 S. Lake
Shore Dr, Chicago, IL 60605-2496
312.922.9410. has an emmense resource Call them and ask for help.
Jcollector (A Jcollector Company)www.jcollector.com - 888.991.9096. call them and ask for help.
you will need to take images of the doll, both with clothes and without, any images of any markings, writings, indentation or punched designes.
I am sorry I could be of no more help. But these are the three best resoures that I know of who can help you.

julie