Wataru-kun!

Introduced in 1968 to the Japanese market by toymaker Takara as the boyfriend of their Licca-chan doll, Wataru Tachibana was meant to be, not unlike the Barbie doll's Ken Carson by Mattel, a steady presence supporting the star of the show, Licca Kayama, who along with girlfriend Izumi Satō composed a lively doll trinity for Japanese kids who already enjoyed the powerful esthetic influence of manga and animé.

Wataru-kun brought a romanticized concept of boyhood to the mix, existing to play the guitar (as per the Licca-chan Trio television commercial), be at the top of his 6th grade class, be good at all sports, and wear the coolest late 60s duds.

Turtleneck by Atelier Milabrocc and slacks by Fille de Rêve. 



Now, if the eyes are the window to the soul, it's not a stretch to say that that is how Wataru sealed the deal. For when the image of a character is created, one thinks that considerable thought must be given to the impact of the gaze. In the case of Takara's vintage and reproduction Wataru-kun doll, one can conjecture that the style of shōjo manga artist Miyako Maki, who was engaged by Takara to illustrate the face of what would become the Licca-chan doll, is also the defining force behind the countenance of the remarkable 12-year-old Wataru Tachibana: expressive eyes surrounded by lush eyelashes and framed by caterpillar eyebrows, an Edwardian-style haircut, and closed-mouth that gives the Mona Lisa a run for her money given the utter ambiguity of its expression.

Today, it is not uncommon to find differences in vintage iterations of Wataru-kun dolls, most notably the color of the vinyl that, not unlike Barbie doll's TNT period, can sometimes fade. Wataru-kun's hair color ranges from a dark reddish-brown to umber, always with similar but not exactly located highlights ranging from off-white to light muted yellow and lowlights in black. Eyebrow shapes also vary as well as the intensity of application of cheek blush. Lip colors range from pink to cream and the latter is commonly assumed to be fading of the paint just like it happens on Barbie dolls from 1964-1965. These variations enhance the complexity of collecting vintage Wataru-kun dolls.

So, what is Wataru-kun to wear? In addition to a richly diverse offering of separate boxed fashions (very hard to find today), Wataru-kun is amenable to wearing clothing created for 9" dolls such as Mattel's Skipper and Ricky, Hasbro's Wonderful World of Love, Azone Pure Neemo XS, and whatever indie designers create for Blythe, 4th generation Licca, or for him exclusively. Shoes are another matter, as the foot sculpt is as specific as his elegantly pointed lace-up shoe style created of pliable vinyl in black, brown, and white, yet vintage Barbie tennis shoes, Francie ankle boots, and Fashionistas' sneakers are possible options that work in scale and fit.

Wataru-kun was offered until 1972 and returned by the end of the 20th century as part of a three-doll commemorative set, an event that coincided with the height of Blythe doll's renaissance, also produced by Takara. Blythe doll expert and designer of the phenomenally joyful Endangered Sissy line, Pamela, recounts: "There's long been a cross-over between the Licca-chan and Blythe worlds. The first Neo Blythe dolls were on Licca-chan bodies and of course they were both manufactured by Takara. Awareness of Wataru-kun really hit Blythe collectors when Takara started releasing reproduction sets of the 1st generation Licca Trio. That was when I first saw him, and immediately knew I needed him in my collection. His face is so perfectly kawaii, with the big eyes and long painted lashes, and he fits in so well with the Blythe retro style aesthetic I love so much. Another bonus for Blythe collectors is that they have the same size body and can share all their clothes."

A visit to Flickr (yes, it's still alive and thriving) yields an enormous harvest of photos, mostly from the early 2010s of Wataru-kun dolls, both vintage and reproduction, wearing what fits, regardless of gender coding, and enjoying life as an independent character.

For this Dolldom exclusive, vintage and reproduction Wataru-kun dolls enjoy a revisit to the late 60s and early 70s in both vintage as well as new garments styled to pay homage to his original style as well as to expand on themes, had he been produced after 1972. Dolldom wishes to thank Endangered Sissy and Cindy's Barbie Boutique for their willingness to collaborate in the creation of fab couture for the young Tachibana.




Cindy's Barbie Boutique slacks and a vintage top from Ricky doll's skateboarding set by Mattel. Hat by Premier. Glass frames by Integrity Toys.

Mod top by Endangered Sissy. Slacks by Cindy's Barbie Boutique.

Reproduction Wataru-kun in a vintage Takara shirt and slacks by Cindy's Barbie Boutique. Fashionista Barbie tennis shoes.

Wataru wears a suit made by Cindy's Barbie Boutique and a vintage orange turtleneck from World of Love by Hasbro.

An original vintage fashion by Takara and Tammy doll's camera.

Shirt and shorts by M for Monkey.

Vintage Skipper's plaid shirt and slacks by Cindy's Barbie Boutique. Hat by Premiere.

Reproduction Wataru-kun

Vintage Takara tuxedo jacket over an Atelier Milabrocc turtleneck and slacks by Cindy's Barbie Boutique. Glasses by Dragons in Dreams.

In vintage Ricky's bathrobe and Skooter's swimsuit bottoms, a vintage Wataru-kun shelters from the sun in a Waka Murai hat borrowed from Julian Kalinowski's Lilli Lalka.

 

Vintage Wataru-kun in a yukata by Azone Pure Neemo XS.

Vintage Wataru-kun in a vintage Takara shirt and slacks onesie and a Cindy's Barbie Boutique blue jacket.

Reproduction Wataru-kun in vintage Skipper's shirt and bell bottom corduroy slacks by Ababietoy on Etsy. Frames by Takara.

Super agent Wataru-kun in turtleneck by Atelier Milabrocc, blue suit by Cindy's Barbie Boutique, and a trench by Takara for 4th generation Licca-chan. 

Awards ceremonies call for a vintage tuxedo by Takara. Glasses by Takara.

A velvet suit by Cindy's Barbie Boutique is perfect for playing bartender.

Vintage Wataru-kun in a turtleneck by World of Love. Bell bottom corduroy slacks by Fille de Rêve on Esty. Sunglasses by Takara. 1962 Corvette by Bratz doll.

Vintage Wataru-kun and Izumi-chan in vintage fashions by Takara.

Vintage Goro-chan plays with a vintage Wataru-kun in shirt and pants by M for Monkey. 

Reproduction and vintage Wataru-kun dolls in très Mod slacks by Endangered Sissy. Glasses by Mattel. 

Vintage Wataru-kun and Licca-chan dolls in vintage fashions by Takara. 

Resources for readers:

Endangered Sissy

Cindy's Barbie Boutique

Atelier Milabrocc

Fille de Rêve

Ababietoy

Couture: AFD Group Style

Ever since Mattel and Robert Best announced the introduction, the demise, and then the return (never say "comeback", as per Norma Desmond) of the line that brought Charlotte Johnson couture cachet back to the Barbie doll, independent designers have been creating complementary fashion designs to inspire collectors who love to play redressing their dolls.

Since 2011, AFD Group has been a leader in the milieu of fashion dolls specializing in exquisitely rendered likeness of the who's who in celebrity land. Their OOAK characters are much sought after for the awe-inspiring precision of execution, bold vision, and ultra-realistic design. (If you are familiar with the popular Schwabichen on Instagram, you have already fallen under AFD Group's spell!) Produced by Vasily Barbier and Sergey Amelkov, AFD Group's offerings have expanded to include red-carpet designs created with the same expert eye for detail, fit, and refinement.

AFD Group's Etsy boutique is a not-to-be-missed destination for all Barbie Fashion Model Collection and Integrity Toys connoisseurs who are seeking to build and enhance a collection with splendid gowns for their most pampered dolls.

Barbier explains that the process begins with the careful study of images of couture by the likes of Cristóbal Balenciaga and Christian Dior. He then focuses on designing and sewing a reimagined and refreshed creation. The current "Secret Garden Collection" of gowns feature luxuriant chiffon flowers inside the skirts, giving the impression of what Barbier calls an inverted bouquet, neatly gathered with a bow at the waist. For the "Flora Collection", Barbier plays with the exterior placement of blooms on willowy textiles. All AFD Group's creations pay special attention to how the dress sits on the doll, so each body sculpt (Silkstone, Poppy Parker, Fashion Royalty) has its own version of the dress.

Dolldom is honored to present three must-have gowns by AFD Group. Modeled by three uniquely special Barbie Fashion Model Collection dolls, this exclusive entry celebrates AFD Group's enthusiasm and talent for doll art.

AFD Group Design

Barbie dolls' restyles by Pink Bubbles Doll Spa

Lilli Lalka's Lazy Afternoon

We all need, here and there, a break from the mad rush. And sometimes, in summer, a veritable paresse overcomes our most focused intentions and the magic of repose takes place. 

Dolldom is delighted to celebrate summer with the radiance of Julian Kalinowski's Lilli Lalka doll. For this exclusive entry, Lilli Lalka epitomizes sunshine with styles perfect for, well, spending a very lazy afternoon. With color saturated fabrics by David Rose Designs and straw hats by London milliner Waka Murai, this will be one après-midi of luxuriating relaxation.

Lilli Lalka herself requested that this entry be accompanied by Marlene Dietrich singing (like nobody else could) "Lazy Afternoon" by Jerome Moross and John La Touche.

It's a lazy afternoon
And the beetle bugs are zoomin'
And the tulip trees are bloomin'
And there's not another human in view

But us two.

It's a lazy afternoon
And the farmer leaves his reapin'
In the meadow cows are sleepin'
And the speckled trout stop leapin' up stream
As we dream.

A fat pink cloud hangs over the hill
Unfoldin' like a rose
If you hold my hand and sit real still
You can hear the grass as it grows.

It's a hazy afternoon
And I know a place that's quiet, 'cept for daisies running riot
And there's no one passing by it to see
Come spend this lazy afternoon with me.

Lilli Lalka by Julian Kalinowski

Dolls Alive: The Art of Ayakadoll

In a culture inspired by the belief that both the animate as well as the inanimate possess power, dolls in Japan are more than mere toys or objects of beauty. Consequently, it's not strange at all that, in Japan, dolls are believed to have a soul, even more so when we consider that the word "ningyō" translates to "having human form".

This idea could not be more evident than in the amazing work of Ayakadoll by Tanaka Hisae. A veteran of the doll making profession, Tanaka learned her art after working with an expert who created doll heads for Hina, geisha, and Kabuki dolls employing the more than 200-year old method of using gofun (seashell powder) and nikawa (a type of glue made from animal skin).

A time-consuming process, this form of doll sculpting yields - in the gifted hands of Tanaka- countenances of recognizable familiarity and undeniable depth of spirit. In other words, these dolls are alive with their sensitively sculpted eyes with inset glass orbs, nose, and expressive mouths. It's amazing to see how well Tanaka conveys emotion and mood. As it is to be expected, each doll head is an original one-of-a-kind work of art.

Tanaka's idea for creating dolls is also influenced by the desire to allow them to come out of the rarefied realm of the decorative object and become a 21st century fashion doll, one that will convey movement via the use of the highly poseable Obitsu 1:6th scale body. The result if pure genius. Dressed in one of Tanaka's handmade and richly accessorized fashions, an Ayakadoll is both a fashion doll gem and an engrossing lesson in Japanese culture. But the enjoyment of the Ayakadoll does not stop there, for these fashionable dolls are happy to redress in current styles too! From Momoko to Francie to Petwork's Eight and Nine, the Ayakadoll time travels with amazing ease, as our photo portfolio illustrates.

Tanaka's Etsy store, Ayakadoll, is a treat to any dollector looking to enhance their fashion doll family with a soulful new member. For more information, visit Ayakadoll (there's a great photo slide presentation showing how Tanaka makes the gofun heads). Ayakadoll is also on Instagram.

Dolldom is honored to profile the work of doll artist Tanaka Hisae of Ayakadoll.

Time traveling begins...

Ayakadoll on Etsy

Ayakadoll on Instagram.