I've only been on eBay for a short time, and perhaps like many of you, I started out looking for one thing and that opened up about a hundred others. I used to collect Japanese toys in the 80's as a teen and remember seeing these beautiful dolls. They attracted my attention because they were so unlike the Barbie's that I grew up seeing. They had large round eyes, realistic outfits (stockings, gloves, very classy), and I always wanted one. Of course being a guy and a punk that didn't happen. Years later I still collect toys and (yes, gasp) dolls. And the doll I remembered from long ago, the Takara JeNny doll.

As I said I'd only been on ebay for a short while, but looking at the JeNny dolls for sale, I noticed that many American sellers aren't familiar at all with the doll, and I couldn't find any info for her here either, so.....I'll give it my best shot and hope this helps.

HISTORY

Barbie was originally made in Japan, but was too duanting a figure for the Japanese mindset of the time. In 1967 the Takara Co. came out with the Licca doll, which was Japans' favorite for years (still is!), so it's probably no wonder that when Mattel went looking to try to break in to the Japanese market they struck a deal with Takara. From 1981 till the licence expired in 85' the Japanese Barbie, with its smaller frame, large eyes, and bendable body sold very well and became popular (in a culture where women still hid their mouths when they smiled, a closed mouth "Barbie" also helped to increase sales!).

For whatever reasons the licence expired and with the explaination that "Barbie" had starred in a play as a character named JeNny and became so famous as that character she changed her name! And so the JeNny fashion doll was born. I remember long ago JeNny dolls had a penchant for summer dresses and sun hats and came in thin pastel boxes. Over the years the JeNny dolls have changed styles and hair-dos but have kept the same body style. With her signature ring in her right hand and earings shes' been everything from a debutant to a Playboy Bunny?! I always thought she was French (perhaps a distorted memory from the past), it turns out JeNny is actually half French and Japanese! Or so the story goes.

She was number two in Japan (next to older, shorter, similar sister Licca-chan) until the mid 90's when Mattel, still trying to crack the asian market, revamped Barbie, brought in a Mr. R. Weber (who helped other companies to cross over) and by the end of 96' started to elbow it's way into Japan, the stigma of American might and prosperity on the minds of the generations surviving WW2 finally a thing of the past.

In a sense the competition probably brought the change from the more poufy dollls to the Calender Girl series. A series which, not only whimsical (Birthday Drink Calender Girl!? I'm a mimosa), to the martial (Uniforms of History, there's a JeNy in 40's motorcycle gear with goggles). With all of them reflecting a part of Japanese culture. The details are amazing, if you look to the back of the School Uniform collection you'll see 12 beautiful real school uniforms, that many girls in Japan still wear, along with their ID's, book bags, scarves and sweaters.

There's been many series, from the Fairy Tale (the Alice in Wonderland doll is gorgeous) to  her Calender Girls (a doll for every month). Series have included Birthstone, school uniforms, Uniforms of History, and even the Music JeNny dolls (punk, country, and even reggae) with a different doll for every type of music! She's been a ninja (similar to the Japanese movie Azumi character, cape and all), samurai, giesha, all the way down to a teeny bopper and hip hopper. JeNny has more than 30 friends and 5 boyfriends (there may be more), all in all a very popular girl!                                           

Classical Music JeNny                      

DISCRIPTION

The true JeNny Doll is about 11inches tall, and has rooted hair (all colors and styles) She's unusual in that she has vinyl (not hard plastic or rubber) arms, a hard plastic torso, and she has wire armature arms and legs. She can move in most any postion and can be posed quite easily, and with the wonderful extra's that come with her, makes for a great display! Of course with some dolls once you start to bend the legs I've noticed that in some there seems to be a little cracking (like when you bend an old piece of gum), it's just the factory material, is slight, and doesn't affect the mobility, BUT, if you like your dolls displayed mint, it's best just to set them on their stands. Yes, even before some other dolls got into it, JeNnys usually came with stands, they're clear plastic and just hold the ankles, for me they're much better than the easy-break plastic or ugly hanger ones. Now although there are many dolls they all have the distinctive eyes and ring in the right hand that can only be a JeNny doll.                                  JeNny has the look of a second year high school student, but Takara did make special edition Miss JeNny Eighteen dolls. A more "adult" doll, this came with a collar that's molded and longer legs, the head is thinner, more American but her eyes are the same. In some cases the Totoco and specially offered fan club JeNnys have ball jointed arms and special outfits in a limited series.

PURCHASING YOUR JENNY

JeNny dolls all have the JeNny (capital N in the middle) trademark, with a photo of JeNny next to it, on all the boxes and most can be found using the Licca name as well. The dolls say Takara Japan on their lower backs (one over the other). Like most doll companies they have their phone number on the side of the box (most on the back starting with the country code 0etc.) BUT the real vintage dolls will NOT have a world wide web address! Usually located on the bottom of the box, so always ask if told it's from the 80's or early 90's becuase they do make special re-issues. There are, on some Calendar Girl packages a creation date.

Have a care when buying USED dolls, always ask if there is anything missing, or whether there is any damage (I'm too trusting myself!), find out now and save yourself the dismay! Most sellers are very good about it, but some might just omit something to get a better price. If you feel if-y, chances are the same doll will come up again, maybe new and cheaper! Also, if you're very particular about the  packaging of your dolls, let it be known, even NIBs' can look a little roughed up. Sometimes these dolls are made, sent to one place, overstock sent back, etc, etc. You can order a NEW doll but the box can sometimes look worn or beaten in, ask your seller, the overseas eBay stores I've dealt with were always more than happy to send pics and answer questions.

Like Barbie, JeNny comes with many accessories, playsets, clothes and of course you can always buy an inexpensive base model (just bathing suit and shoes). She IS the Japanese Barbie so like Barbie there are many made and played with by children and adults. And like her counterpart there are collectors editions, but if you ask me JeNnys have always been a little more accessible.

The Calendar Girls are actually pretty common and usually sell for around $20 to $30 US. As always there are some more sought after than others, but with a little digging on eBay I was able to find most of them at the aforementioned price. I'm always looking for a deal and I'm unbelievably impatient so if it's only a matter of a dollar or two I find one can always pick up a near mint, displayed JeNny with a little searching.

The dolls are numerous and you can get a really awsome set of dolls for under $20 US each, it's those overseas shipping charges that get us, but keep looking, average shipping should be about $18 US give or take, but I've seen as low as $13 US. Of course there are specialty dolls like the Totoco Dolls. Totoco is a specialty store in Tokyo that began offering JeNnys to the dolls fan club many years ago. They have produced 10 limited editions a year (of 100 to 200) since the early 90's (that I know). As always, with every doll there are these limited editions, but most prices are very reasonable averaging at around $20 to $80 US. There are always a few exceptions of course but I haven't seen any over $150 US (in extreme circumstances). Because of the quantity of dolls around $20 US don't be afraid to open and play with them! Sometimes you just can't help it! Real fans will always buy a doll they may not be able to find for a reasonable price, opened or not, as long as (ok, this is hokey coming from a guy) they're cared for and loved.                        

MISC

JeNny is everywhere, you can even find her commercials on You Tube, I myself have seen a live action (with dolls) series (subtitled, JeNny Kuwaii! Sweets Angels) of JeNny and friends saving the earth for sweets and fashion!. There are JeNny fan clubs and sites galore, all one has to do is search for and you'll get a thousand hits on eBay. Now, I'm no expert and I don't know everything but I hope this has helped and happy collecting!

If anyone has an more info on JeNny they think is important please contact me and let me know!