Japanese Traditional Ichimatsu Ningyo Sitting Doll

Object Details
• Type: Ichimatsu doll (boy figure, seated-style construction but mounted standing in display case)
• Origin: Japan
• Artist / Workshop (per tag):
• 東優斎 秀月 作 (Tōyūsai Shūgetsu saku)
• Translates to: “Made by Shūgetsu of the Tōyūsai studio”
• Estimated Date: Likely mid-to-late Shōwa period (c. 1950s–1980s)

This dating is based on:
• Use of a plastic cylindrical display case (common in post-war export and decorative dolls)
• Construction style consistent with 20th-century workshop-produced Ichimatsu dolls
• Known continued production of Ichimatsu dolls by studios such as Shūgetsu, which remain active in traditional doll-making

Dimensions
• Height: 30.0 cm (11.8 inches)
• Width: 30.0 cm (11.8 inches)
• Depth: 35.0 cm (13.8 inches)

Materials & Construction
• Head, hands, feet: Likely gofun-coated composition (crushed shell pigment over base material)
• Body: Cloth-stuffed torso (traditional Ichimatsu construction)
• Hair: Black wig (likely human hair or high-quality synthetic)
• Clothing: Layered kimono (silk or silk-blend) with obi
• Base: Wooden stand
• Case: Original cylindrical plastic display case

Ichimatsu dolls are traditionally made with rigid heads and limbs attached to a soft cloth body, often coated in gofun, a white pigment made from crushed shell .

Description

The doll represents a young boy in formal kimono attire, with a hand-painted face, pale gofun finish, and detailed facial features.

Although constructed as a seated (poseable) Ichimatsu doll, this example is mounted in a standing display format, which is typical of decorative/export pieces from the Shōwa period when these dolls were increasingly produced for display rather than play .

The doll retains:
• Original wooden tag with calligraphy and red seal
• Original display case
• Original paper fan accessory

Markings / Signature

The attached wooden tag reads:
• 市松人形 (Ichimatsu ningyō) — “Ichimatsu doll”
• 東優斎 秀月 作 — “Made by Shūgetsu of the Tōyūsai studio”
• Red seal (likely artisan or workshop seal)

I have not yet located definitive records on this exact artist, but I understand that “Shūgetsu” is associated with traditional Japanese doll-making studios still producing Ichimatsu dolls today, suggesting this may be a workshop-produced piece rather than a one-off artisan sculpture.

Condition
• Overall: Very good vintage condition
• Face: No visible cracks or major damage
• Hair: Full and intact
• Clothing: Clean and complete
• Case: Present with minor age-related wear
• Notable issue: Yellowing/discoloration on the hands

Market Context / Comparable Sales

From my research:
• General Ichimatsu dolls: ~$400–$600 average range
• Mid-range decorative examples: ~$500–$700 retail
• Named or higher-quality examples: $800–$1,000+ (observed in auction and resale listings)

I have seen similar dolls listed in the $600–$800 range, with some examples attributed to similar/same workshops exceeding $1,000.

Additional Notes
• The doll was thrifted for $75
• I have not found another example with the exact same tag/artist combination, so I am particularly interested in confirming:
• Whether Tōyūsai Shūgetsu is a documented workshop or lineage
• Whether this is a mass-produced studio piece or a named artisan work
• A more precise production date

Request

Could you please help determine:
1. The authenticity and origin of the doll
2. The historical background of the artist/workshop (Tōyūsai Shūgetsu)
3. A refined date estimate
4. A current fair market value and auction estimate