The Types of Japanese Porcelain Dolls

Liki Porcelain

• Liki porcelain dolls were the first porcelain dolls made in Japan, introduced to their culture by Korea during the 17th century. Dolls that were originally made during this time period are incredibly valuable due to their age and historical significance. However, modern Liki porcelain dolls are considered a cheaper form of Japanese porcelain doll, which are made and sold to tourists or those who want one but don't want to pay exorbitant collector's prices.

Imari Porcelain

• Imari porcelain is an incredibly valuable porcelain from Japan and the dolls that are made from it are valuable as well. This is a fine and rare porcelain that creates a blue color, as opposed to the classic white color which most porcelain is known for. It is made in the town of Arita, which is the heart of the Japanese porcelain industry. The style and design of this porcelain is also used for plates and various other dishes in Japan, but dolls made from this type of rare porcelain are a true collectible.

Geisha Porcelain Dolls

• Beyond what type of porcelain is being used, there are styles of porcelain dolls that are based on the clothes they wear and the decorations on the doll's faces and hands. The faces and colors on some of these geisha dolls are done with true artistic precision and vary from region to region in Japan, and have historical significance. The outfits some of these porcelain Geisha dolls wear are also stitched together by hand out of fine materials, like silk. More time is spent making some of these doll dresses then is spent making actual dresses for people.