This lovingly hand-crafted Pikachu Edo Kimekomi Doll is a fitting tribute to Pikachu: the world's most popular Pokémon character and every child's fave mythical creature.
Kimekomi Dolls were first created in the late 1730s by Tadashige Takahashi, a craftsman who served at the Kamigamo Shrine in Kyoto, Japan. His original materials were surplus willow wood and cloth left over from the manufacture of Shinto priests' robes.
About a century ago, the Mataro Doll company secured authorization from the Kamigamo Shrine to employ these traditional doll-making techniques. The Pikachu Edo Kimekomi Doll is the latest iteration of this ancient craft, respectfully reintegrated into modern culture courtesy of an official partnership with Nintendo.
Each Pikachu figurine is individually hand-crafted from wood: employing 3D printers would be cheaper and faster but that would detract from the inherent warmth and charming “flaws” that make hand-made items so distinctive and desirable.
Once the figurines are carved, the bodies are carefully covered with subtly beautiful and timelessly elegant traditional Japanese fabric. The official copyright from Nintendo/Pokémon is stamped on the underside and hidden from view.
These incredible Pikachu figurines are made by hand, one by one, each per special order. Sales currently are handled as a PRE-ORDER item scheduled to be released in May of 2020, as time is being allowed for the acquisition of a license permitting international sales.
The company is currently accepting orders, however, and the pre-order policy could change at any time (purchasers will be notified). For more information and ordering instructions, please visit the product page at OMG Japan.
