Emperor Doll (Dairibina-royal couple doll) A & B: Doll wears an unusual robe of Heian style, worn outdoors. The outer robe is gold silk brocade with floral and crane design. Six under-kimono show at the neck, all varying shades of gold. His outer robe has a square neck, center panel and wide sleeves. At the edge of sleeves, an under-kimono of gray, gold and white in a checkerboard pattern, then a deep gold kimono, next a narrower sleeve of lighter gold and under that is a purple robe. He has a black horsehair belt with a loop at the back which holds a looped piece of stiff fabric which is attached at the top of the belt, extends up to neckline, folds over, goes back under loop again and extends beyond floor. The stiff fabric is black on the underside and gold on the front with black edges. At the front, beginning at lower waist is 3 layers of stiffened brocade looped over and then sticking straight out. The under piece is gold brocade with gold edging. On top is smaller piece of brown brocade with gold edge and smaller piece of orange brocade on top. Doll wears pale gold silk leggings with orange brocade Empress doll C & D: H: 5.5", W: 8" Female doll wears an outfit of 5 layered robes. Outer robe is orange silk brocade with gray floral design. At the neckline can be seen 6 layers of under robes in pale gold and one in darker gold. Her robe is kimono style with wide sleeves. Her outer orange robe has a thin band of gold along the sleeve edge. The next robe is gold brocade with a thin gold edging. Next are 2 pale gold layers, a pink layer, a pale gold and a wide darker gold sleeve. A wide purple band with orange thread stitches down the cneter extends from over her shoulders, looped at the waist and ends hang down on her waist. In the center below her waist is a separate bow of yellow fabric. The purple bands are attached to a stiff khaki brocade square at her back. Attached over her shoulders to the purple bands are gold knotted cords that hang down in front and end in 2 pinky red tassels. Pale beige fabric strips are attached to sleeves with knotted cord and tassels. At back the padded hems of her five kimono protrude. On top is a beige gauze piece attached under khaki brocade. Trouser-skirt (hakama) of orange silk. Hair tied back with pink and gold and purple thread. Head and hands have been dipped in crushed oyster shell (gofun), glass eyes, 2 dots on forehead. E: Headdress of thin metal, hangings of coral beads, tied with gold silk cord

1993.004.007