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The first modern BJD ever made?

Sep 4, 2022

    1. I already know that the first BJDs sold to the public were made by Volks, but most variations of the invention story mention that Volks was inspired by a one-off doll that a sculptor made as a gift for his wife. Are there any pictures of this first doll?

      I always thought it was sweet that this whole hobby started with an artist wanting to make something new for his loved ones.
       
      #1 soulsoaker, Sep 4, 2022
      • x 7
    2. #2 LilaAIP, Sep 4, 2022
      • x 11
    3. So this is a really interesting topic. I've been doing research into the history of bjds for a doll panel I want to present, and the most common variation of this story seems to be that artist Akihiro Enku, who already was a sculptor for figures, created the first bjd as a sort of "mini me" of his wife. Then either the Volks president or his wife saw this doll and they decided it would be a great thing to mass produce in order to draw women into the figure customization/garage kit market. That said, none of my sources actually had a picture of the original doll in question.

      There is a museum at the Volks Tenshi no Sato site in Japan, and I'd bet money that if she's on display anywhere, that's where the original doll is. Unfortunately, pictures are not allowed inside the museum, and it's nearly impossible to find any of the interior, let alone the displays. So that's where the trail runs cold, at least as far as I know. If someone out there does have a photo, I'd love to see it.
       
      #3 BlackSheep, Sep 4, 2022
      • x 12
    4. Ah nevermind, l’m in a spot with poor service and its been better explained above in the time it took me to post.
       
      #4 ArcaneKnight, Sep 4, 2022
    5. The doll is not on display at Tenshi no Sato. However, I do have this picture saved:

      [​IMG]

      Someone wrote a blog entry on BJDs years ago and I saved it from there.
       
      #5 idrisfynn, Sep 4, 2022
      • x 31
    6. idrisfynn thanks! That does give the answer. And a great blog to know about.
      <3
       
      #6 cthulhu, Sep 4, 2022
    7. Wow, thanks for the picture! I was kind of expecting her to look like one of the older SD sculpts, but the anime style is closer to Dollfie Dreams.
       
      #7 soulsoaker, Sep 4, 2022
      • x 3
    8. @LilaAIP Thank you for sharing that link, that doll is incredible! I love the little jointed hands.
       
      #8 Mori Carter, Sep 4, 2022
      • x 1
    9. @LilaAIP again, what a shockingly cool link!! I have many books on dolls and have never seen that amazing doll! I was surprised at the carved 'bush' she's wearing, yes, a mature doll indeed! I wonder if she was made for a Royal?
      :XD::aeyepop::blush
       
      #9 Valdemagra, Sep 5, 2022
    10. There's a Russian BJD forum that has a bit more of a write up of the history of Volks specifically. Also includes the image shared by idrisfynn.
       
      #10 Cap'n, Sep 5, 2022
      • x 2
    11. @idrisfynn whoa! Thanks so much for posting that! I couldn't find anything like it while searching. It's really cool to finally see her!

      @Cap'n thanks for posting that resource!

      I knew that non-English resources would have better info, I just had no way to find them. ^^;
       
      #11 BlackSheep, Sep 5, 2022
    12. @BlackSheep If you record your panel, I will watch it! It sounds cool!

      Thank you everyone for the links!!
       
      #12 jessholy, Sep 5, 2022
    13. From what I've read, that doll is actually an artistic mannequin. There are other models made by the same sculptor, both male and female.
       
      #13 LilaAIP, Sep 5, 2022
      • x 1