Applying lip rouge, Gosho ningyo

As the final step in the making of a gosho ningyo, a touch of red is added to the lips. The moment this color enters what had previously been a black and white world, the doll comes to life. With the completion of this final step, the doll’s face assumes a richness that speaks to the viewer. This expressiveness comes from the ancient feelings that Japanese have felt for children and have been passed on to the present day.