Kaga Doll Kintaro Has Arrived: A Quirky Smirk That Stole My Heart
This quirky-faced Kaga doll, Kintaro, was gifted to me by my husband’s family.
To be honest, when I first saw it, my reaction was:
“Wow... that’s kinda ugly,” and “What a weird expression!” 😅
But the more I looked at it, and especially after photographing it again and again, I started to feel... attached.
Now, it’s like my own child — I’ve grown so fond of it that I almost don’t want to sell it.
That’s how much character this doll’s face has.
Just look at that smug little grin.
What’s a “Doya-gao” (ドヤ顔)?
In Japan, we call this expression “doya-gao”, a slang word that means “look what I did!” or “I’m proud of myself!”
It comes from the Kansai dialect word “doya” (how’s that?), often used when someone wants to show off a success or accomplishment.
And Kintaro’s face?
He’s 100% saying: “Doya?!”
Kids and Their Smug Little Faces
When I think about it... don’t little boys often make this kind of face?
That confident, cheeky grin when they succeed at something, even something small.
It’s a sign of growth, adventure, and joy.
I can’t help but imagine the artist wanted to capture that exact moment —
when a child tries something brave, achieves it, and beams with pride.
If all “smug faces” were this cute, I’d love to see more of them.
This doll reminds me to slow down and enjoy the little moments of growth in my own child, too.
Bonus: Who is Kintaro?
Kintaro is a legendary child hero from Japanese folklore.
He was raised in the mountains, befriended animals, and later became a warrior under the samurai lord Minamoto no Yorimitsu.
Seeing him as a wooden folk doll — with such a bold, funny expression —
reminds me just how rich and playful traditional Japanese crafts can be.
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