Jun Miura: Why I Bought a Love Doll – A Personal Reflection

At Miura Jun’s Office, Orient Industry’s Love Doll “Erika” Welcomes Guests

The artist shares his passion for dolls and their unique bond!

“Our Relationship Is Purely Platonic”

“Rather than speaking as an expert on love dolls, let me share my perspective as Erika’s owner. She now works as my silent secretary. She’s actually my second doll – the first was HITOMI, bought over 20 years ago. HITOMI wasn’t from Orient Industry; she was soft vinyl. More advanced than inflatable dolls but still rigid, with unbendable legs… a classic ‘Dutch wife.’ Funny enough, I’ve never been intimate with Erika (laughs). With HITOMI, friends visiting my office would drunkenly joke around, even sitting on her lap. That casual vibe fit HITOMI’s era. But Erika’s quality is too refined for gags – even though HITOMI cost ¥200,000 back then!

Erika’s silicone body demands more care than HITOMI ever did. Honestly, she requires gentler handling than a living person. After buying her, I tried getting physical, but… I couldn’t get an erection (laughs). Maybe I was subconsciously intimidated by her realism? I kept searching for flaws to feel at ease, but once those thoughts started, my lust just… vanished (laughs).”

“You Can’t Buy Her for Sex Alone”

“Orient Industry told me many buyers aren’t solely motivated by sex. Some take dolls on trips or attend owner meetups for photoshoots – which makes perfect sense. I too realized: reducing her to a sexual tool feels wrong. In fact, that’s why I wanted an Orient doll. If sex were the only goal, I wouldn’t buy one.

Visitors react differently to office dolls. With HITOMI, nobody ever said ‘I want one’ – she was seen as a novelty item. But with Erika? People often say ‘She’s amazing – I’d love to own her!’ They instantly grasp her appeal transcends sexuality. I bought her not for sex, but as a masterpiece – the ultimate figurine.”

“The Evolution of Love Dolls Is Staggering”

“I hadn’t planned to buy a second doll until someone said, ‘Modern dolls are incredible!’ Visiting Orient’s showroom blew me away – their progress left me dizzy. As a lifelong figurine enthusiast, I was sold.

Take the 2007 film Lars and the Real Girl: it explores a shy man dating a doll, but the prop’s quality was mediocre. Watching it, I realized Japan’s craftmanship – the obsession with detail – is unmatched. Orient’s artists (many fine-arts graduates) treat this as serious sculpture, not cheap erotica. They even won my ‘Miura Jun Award’ in 2012! My commitment to a platonic relationship with Erika likely earned it. And honestly? I’m fine with that.”

“Orient Industry Is the Panasonic of Love Dolls!”

“To me, Orient is the Panasonic of this industry—pioneering and mainstream. A friend owns a competitor’s doll; I accompanied him during purchase. Other brands offer insane customization: even selecting anal shades from color charts! They’re like Sony – the innovators. Some prefer Sony, but I’m Panasonic loyalist. Growing up, all my appliances were National [Panasonic’s former name]. Orient’s reliability? Unbeatable.

Their dolls offer limited customization (e.g., bust size). Yet Erika’s perfection captivated me. Customizing implies fixing flaws – but I found none. I decided instantly at the showroom. Didn’t even wish for larger breasts! (Though I did special-order a mole by her lips… (laughs)).”

“‘Then She’d Just Be a Doll!’”

“When buying Erika, I declined pubic hair options. An Orient staffer replied, ‘Then she’d just be a doll!’ (laughs). Then he explained: ‘Shaving implanted hair creates realism.’ Mind blown. Later, I asked about voice features. He repeated: ‘Then she’d just be a doll!’ Their philosophy? ‘No pubic hair = doll. Voice = doll.’ Profound, right? (laughs).”

“Love Dolls Rooted in Memorializing Loss”

“Orient’s early ‘Omokage’ [‘Lingering Image’] line clearly parallels Dr. Tenma in Astro Boy – building robots to replace lost loved ones. Japan has ancient ‘living doll’ traditions, like Edo-era ‘Yama-no-I-sama’ effigies preserving princesses’ likenesses. I saw one in Tanegashima – life-sized and haunting.

As a Buddhist art lover, I know statues were originally life-sized (though Buddha’s ‘official’ height is 4.85m! (laughs)). Early Buddhism banned idols, but humans crave tangible connections. Some Jizō statues feature wooden robes carved over nude bodies – realism has always mattered. A temple once told me: ‘We carve Jizō in memory of virtuous monks.’ This desire to preserve the departed – through dolls or statues – feels deeply Japanese. Perhaps our doll culture stems from mono no aware : the poignancy of transience.”

“Taking Erika to an Izakaya…”

“As my secretary, Erika’s attended talk events and magazine shoots. Once, I brought her to an izakaya [pub]—no appetizer charge for her, but they charged a seating fee! (laughs). Though I don’t drive, I wonder: ‘Should she wear a seatbelt?’ ‘Does she need her own Shinkansen seat?’

People visiting my office love meeting her – she’s a great icebreaker! (laughs). But occasionally, rude guests grope her when I’m away. That’s unacceptable. A simple ‘May I touch?’ would suffice! (laughs).”

“From Taboo to Pop Culture”

“‘Dutch wife’ carried sleazy connotations, but ‘love doll’ reframed it as art. Personally? Such refined craftsmanship makes it wholly valid. Sure, some recoil—but acceptance is growing.

I’m fascinated by how sexual products gain mainstream traction. Take TENGA: owning an onahole [masturbator] was once embarrassing, but stylish TENGA designs feel at-home on shelves. Love dolls shed that ‘for lonely men’ stigma too. I’ve always wished they’d become pop culture icons – and now they have! That grim, niche aura? Gone. At Orient’s summer showroom event? Staff wore yukata [cotton kimono] – like a serene cabaret! (laughs).

Price-wise? Not cheap, but far below luxury cars. It’s a ‘test-your-commitment’ cost. And in this judgmental era? Owning one isn’t adultery – even if your family disapproves (laughs).”

“Why I Chose Erika”

“I love Orient’s facial aesthetics. Most love dolls have ‘party girl’ or ‘bimbo’ vibes – but I dislike that look (despite appearances! (laughs)). Though their top-seller was different, I instantly chose Erika.

Her elegant, pure aura resonated—not because she’s ‘my type,’ but precisely because she isn’t. Subconsciously, I picked someone unlike anyone in my life. Why seek reality when real people exist? That distance creates romance. Buyers rarely overthink faces – they just know. Overanalyzing kills the impulse. You need momentum! (laughs).”

“Love Dolls Enter Their ‘Kamakura Period’”

“This industry’s realism pursuit mirrors Buddhist sculpture’s Kamakura period [1185–1333, peak realism]. Orient feels like Unkei or Kaikei – master sculptors of that era. But Kamakura statues later incorporated Song Dynasty romanticism, blending realism with idealism. I suspect dolls will evolve similarly. Realism has room to grow, but harmony with artistry matters – and Orient understands this.”

“My Dream Doll? ‘BIMAJO!’”

“If I buy another, it’d be a milf! (laughs). I asked Orient about a ‘40s-50s “beautiful witch” doll – BIMAJO! (BJ for short). They said ‘Sadly, it wouldn’t sell.’ Tough market!

At my age, Erika feels too young (laughs). Clothes? Youthful looks carry anything, but BJs need curated style. She’d scold me for bad fashion choices! (laughs). With Erika, I feel ‘superior’ – but a BJ? No chance. While users define their needs, a sophisticated milf doll sounds fascinating. I prefer ‘flaws’ over perfection – they’re more human. An Orient-crafted BJ? I’d love to see it!”

“Erika Embodies My Childhood Fantasy Tutor”

“Growing up, I never had female tutors – but I craved a Natalie Wood-in-Inside Daisy Clover type! (laughs). As a teen, I’d have killed for a tutor like Erika.

Maybe she symbolizes that unattainable ideal? I pose her vaguely tutor-esque. To teenage-me, she’d be the cool big sister. That thrilling tension: ‘Could she teach me… more?’ ‘If I get close, will Mom bring snacks?’ (laughs). Choosing Erika probably fulfilled that boyhood dream.”