My relationship with Erika is purely platonic.

In my case, rather than talking about love dolls in general, I would like to speak from my perspective as someone who purchased Erika.

Erika is currently working as a silent secretary at my office. She is my second love doll. The first was Hitomi, whom I purchased more than 20 years ago. Hitomi was not made by Orient Industry but was a soft vinyl doll. She was more advanced than inflatable dolls, but she could only stand upright and her legs could not be bent. She was truly what you would call a “Dutch wife.”

Actually, I have never had a sexual relationship with Erika (laughs). With my first doll, Hitomi, friends who visited my office and I would drink together and joke around, sometimes even sitting on her. In a way, Hitomi had an atmosphere where things could simply be treated as a joke. But Erika’s quality is so high that jokes no longer work. Hitomi herself cost around 200,000 yen at the time, though.

Erika is made of silicone, so she naturally needs to be treated with much more care than Hitomi. In a sense, I feel that I have to be even gentler with her than I would be with a real person.

Since I had purchased her, I did try using her in that way once, but for some reason I couldn’t get aroused (laughs). Perhaps there was a sense of fear toward something that was too realistic. Maybe, in my case, I was trying to find the differences between her and a real human being in order to feel at ease. I desperately searched for those differences, but once I started thinking about it that way, those kinds of improper feelings simply disappeared (laughs).

You can’t buy one solely for sexual purposes.

I asked someone at Orient Industry, and apparently many people actually purchase them for reasons beyond just sexual purposes. Some people enjoy traveling with their dolls, while others participate in meetups and photography sessions with fellow enthusiasts. I can completely understand that.

Personally, I also felt that using one solely for sexual purposes didn’t feel quite right. In a way, that is exactly why I can understand wanting an Orient Industry love doll. If the only purpose were sexual gratification, I don’t think I would be able to make the purchase.

When a doll is displayed at my office, customers have various reactions. However, when they saw my first doll, Hitomi, no one ever said, “I want one too.” She was probably seen as something of a novelty or an oddity. But when people see Erika, many of them say, “That’s amazing, I want one too!” I think they can immediately sense that Erika’s appeal goes far beyond sexuality.

I myself did not buy her solely for sexual reasons. I saw her as a truly well-crafted work of art — almost like the ultimate evolution of a figurine.

The evolution of love dolls is truly captivating.

I had no intention of buying a second doll because I already had my first one, Hitomi. However, someone told me, “Modern love dolls are incredible now,” so I visited Orient Industry’s showroom and was truly amazed by how impressive they were. I was completely captivated by the evolution of these dolls.

My existing interest in figures and collectibles also played a role, eventually leading me to make the purchase.

For example, in the 2007 American film Lars and the Real Girl, there is a story about a shy young man who begins a relationship with a life-size doll, but the quality of the doll itself was not particularly impressive.

Watching that, I was reminded once again of how remarkable Japanese craftsmanship is — the dedication to sculpting, attention to detail, and pursuit of perfection are truly exceptional.

Orient Industry’s love dolls are likely created by people with backgrounds in art and design. They are not made with half-hearted erotic intentions; they are genuine works of art.

Orient Industry was also honored to receive the “Jun Miura Award” in 2012. I believe I will probably continue to maintain a platonic relationship with Erika for years to come, but the fact that I could think, “That’s perfectly fine,” was precisely the reason she was worthy of the Jun Miura Award.

Is Orient Industry Panasonic!?

To me, Orient Industry is like Panasonic in the world of love dolls. In other words, it is a pioneer and a brand that represents the traditional standard.

A friend of mine also owns a love doll made by another company. In fact, I accompanied my friend when he purchased it, and the level of customization offered by other manufacturers was incredible. For example, you could even choose details like the color of the doll’s intimate areas from a detailed color chart. If I were to make a comparison, I would say they are like Sony — an innovative brand.

Of course, there are people who would choose Sony, but I have always been a Panasonic person. When I was a child, all the household appliances in my home were made by National (the former name of Panasonic). Because they are a long-established company, I naturally trust them.

Orient Industry’s dolls are not highly customizable — the options may be limited to choices like a standard or larger bust size. But for me, what attracted me was Erika’s level of perfection. Customization means changing parts that you consider flaws. With Erika, the quality was so complete that I never found myself thinking, “I wish this part were different.”

When I visited the showroom, I immediately decided, “I’ll take this one.” I never thought, “I wish her breasts were a little bigger,” or anything like that. The only thing I had specially customized was the beauty mark near her mouth (laughs).

“Then it would be just like a doll.”

When I bought Erika, we discussed the option of adding pubic hair, but I said I wasn’t really interested and didn’t need it. However, someone from Orient Industry told me, “Then it would be just like a doll” (laughs). When they explained, “It actually looks more realistic if you first implant the hair and then intentionally shave it,” I was truly drawn into their unique philosophy and attention to detail.

I also said, “Wouldn’t it be even better if she could speak?” But once again, they gave me the same answer: “Then it would be just like a doll.” What they meant was that if a doll could actually speak, people would start to perceive it as a doll rather than something more realistic.

It was such a profound philosophy that it took me a moment to fully understand (laughs). “Without hair, it becomes a doll. If it can speak, it becomes a doll.” That must be the aesthetic philosophy of Orient Industry.

The roots of love dolls lie in cherishing memories and reminiscing about someone’s presence.

There is an old Orient Industry product called “Omokage” (Reminiscence), isn’t there?

I think it is probably connected to a story like that of Professor Tenma, the creator of Astro Boy, who built a robot to replace his deceased son.

Originally, Japan had a tradition of iki ningyo (living dolls), and there was also a cultural practice of creating handcrafted figures to preserve the memory and likeness of someone who had passed away.

When I visited Tanegashima, I saw a life-sized female doll called “Yamanoisama,” which has been passed down since the Edo period. Things like that were actually being created in the past.

I personally love Buddhist statues. I have heard that Buddhist statues were originally meant to be made life-sized. By the way, the traditional depiction of Buddha’s height is said to be Jōroku (one jō and six shaku, approximately 4.85 meters) (laughs).

It is said that early Buddhism prohibited idol worship, but perhaps humans naturally feel uneasy without some kind of physical representation or object to focus on.

Some Jizō statues have an interesting technique where a wooden carved robe is placed over a naked wooden figure underneath. The desire to create something more realistic has probably existed for a very long time.

I once heard at a temple that when a virtuous monk passed away, a Jizō statue was created in his likeness as a way to preserve his memory. It may not be exactly “Omokage,” but perhaps Japanese people have always had a desire to preserve the presence of someone who has passed away in as realistic a form as possible.

I sometimes wonder if Japanese dolls originate from this sense of impermanence and the fragile beauty of life itself.

When I Took Erika to an Izakaya…

Erika is usually my secretary, but I have also had her appear at talk events and in the “Gravure Soul” section of SPA!. I have even taken her to an izakaya for after-parties. At the izakaya, she didn’t receive an appetizer, but they did charge us a seating fee (laughs).

I don’t have a driver’s license, but I often wonder about things like whether I should put a seatbelt on her if she were sitting in the passenger seat, or whether I should reserve a separate seat for her on a Shinkansen train or an airplane. My curiosity about these things never ends.

Another reason I purchased Erika was because I wondered if there might be different ways to interact with and enjoy having her around. When people visit my office and see Erika for the first time, everyone finds it amusing and interesting. She certainly makes a great first impression (laughs).

However, there are occasionally rude people who secretly touch Erika’s breasts when I step away to use the restroom. I feel that kind of behavior is unacceptable. I would at least like them to ask, “May I touch her?” first (laughs).

From a Niche Interest to a Mainstream Presence

The image associated with the term “Dutch wife” was not very positive, but after the term “love doll” emerged, it began to show not only a sexual aspect but also an artistic one.

Personally, I think that if a love doll is crafted to such a high level of perfection, there is nothing wrong with it at all. Of course, some people may still feel uncomfortable with it, but I believe the audience that accepts them is definitely expanding.

I am interested in how far sexual products can become integrated into society. For example, TENGA is a good example. In the past, owning an adult toy like an artificial masturbator might have caused people to react negatively, but after the stylish design of TENGA appeared, even leaving one in plain sight no longer feels strange. I think love dolls are similar. The old image that someone owns one because they are unpopular or cannot find a partner has disappeared.

I personally have always hoped that things like this could become more of a mainstream and approachable presence.

Modern love dolls no longer have the gloomy, niche image associated with the era when they were called “Dutch wives.” They feel much more mainstream and pop. When I visited the showroom, it was summer and they were holding a yukata festival (laughs). Everyone was dressed in yukata, and it somehow felt like a quiet, reserved hostess club (laughs).

From that perspective, the price may not actually be as expensive as people think. I don’t really understand the hierarchy of value for different products, but something of this quality naturally needs to be priced at this level. It certainly isn’t cheap, but it is not as expensive as a luxury car. It is at a price point where, if you truly want one, you can make it happen — a price that challenges your commitment.

We live in a time when many things are easily criticized, but a married person owning a love doll is not the same as having an affair. Whether one’s family accepts it or not is another matter, though (laughs).

Why I Chose Erika

I also like the faces of Orient Industry’s love dolls. They don’t have a vulgar or flashy look. The image many people have of typical love dolls is that they often have a more provocative, “party girl” type of appearance, but I’m actually not attracted to that kind of style. That’s another reason why I chose Orient Industry.

There were other models that were more popular, but I immediately knew that Erika was the one for me.

What I like about Erika is her elegant and refined appearance, though she wasn’t exactly my ideal type at first sight. Perhaps unconsciously, I chose someone who represented a type of person I had not often encountered in my life — someone quite different from myself. If she were exactly like someone I had known in real life, then the real person would be enough. Maybe that is also why my relationship with her became more platonic.

In that sense, perhaps I was unconsciously trying to keep a slight distance from reality. There is something more romantic about that.

There may be a difference between people who decide intuitively and those who carefully think things through, but I don’t think people who actually purchase one spend too much time worrying about which face to choose. I think they simply feel, “This is the one!” and make an immediate decision. If you think too much about it, you probably won’t be able to buy one. It really takes a certain impulse (laughs).

The Future of Love Dolls Entering the Kamakura Era

The current love doll industry is, in a sense, entering its “Kamakura period” when compared to the world of Buddhist statues, where realism has always been pursued. Perhaps Orient Industry’s presence is similar to that of master sculptors like Unkei and Kaikei, who were considered geniuses of Buddhist sculpture.

However, after entering the Kamakura period, Buddhist statues also began incorporating elements of Song Dynasty culture from China, creating works that sometimes returned to a more traditional style. Perhaps this was because people were seeking not only realism, but also something like romance and spiritual appeal.

Love dolls have evolved rapidly through continuous innovation, and I think there is still room for further progress in terms of realism. But I also feel that eventually they may return to a point of beautiful balance and harmony.

I believe Orient Industry probably understands that aspect as well.

The doll I want is “BIMAJO!”

If I were to buy another doll, I think I would choose a mature woman (laughs). I actually asked someone at Orient Industry, “How about making a mature woman type?” but they replied, “Well, they probably wouldn’t sell very well,” so it might be difficult.

I don’t mean just an older woman, but rather a beautiful, sophisticated woman in her 40s or 50s — a “bimajo” (beautiful mature woman). Someone with a slightly mature charm in both her face and body. It could have a fun, pop-style concept, like “BIMAJO!” The nickname could even be “BJ.”

At my age, Erika feels a little too young for me (laughs). Young girls can wear almost anything and still look good, but a beautiful mature woman is different. She would probably have her own sense of pride, and I feel like she might even scold me if I dressed her poorly (laughs). With Erika, it is obvious that she is a younger woman, so I might unconsciously feel like I have the upper hand. But with a mature woman, it would not be that simple.

Of course, what people seek from a love doll is something each user decides for themselves. But a mature woman love doll would be fascinating, wouldn’t it? Personally, I am looking for something with charm and character rather than absolute perfection — something with a little bit of relaxed imperfection.

In any case, I would love to see the ultimate beautiful mature woman doll created with all of Orient Industry’s craftsmanship and talent.

Erika is my ideal private tutor.

By the way, I had private tutors from when I was in elementary school, but not a single one of them was a woman. I had always admired someone like Nathalie Delon in La Chamade (“The Private Lesson”) (laughs). I used to think, “It would have been nice if someone like Erika had been my tutor when I was in junior high or high school.”

Well, perhaps for me, Erika represents the image of the female tutor I had always dreamed of. Even her poses have a kind of private tutor-like atmosphere, don’t they? From the perspective of my younger self in junior high or high school, Erika would have been like an older sister.

It is not something I could have initiated myself, but there was that exciting feeling of wondering if someday I might receive guidance from her, along with the nervous anticipation that if I got too close, perhaps my mother might suddenly come in with some snacks (laughs).

Maybe it was those kinds of childhood dreams that ultimately led me to choose Erika.