Kaoru Gojou
Kaoru Gojou is a supporting character in My Dress-Up Darling. He is the grandfather and guardian of the protagonist, Wakana Gojou, having raised him following the death of the boy's parents. Based in the Iwatsuki district, Kaoru operates the Gojou Doll Shop as a master artisan specializing in crafting heads for traditional Hina dolls, known as a kashira-shi. Within the story, he fulfills the dual role of a loving parental figure and a deeply respected craft mentor, offering steady guidance and warm encouragement as his grandson navigates both his artistic training and new personal connections.
Overview
Kaoru Gojou is a supporting character in My Dress-Up Darling. He is the grandfather and guardian of the protagonist, Wakana Gojou, having raised him following the death of the boy's parents. Based in the Iwatsuki district, Kaoru operates the Gojou Doll Shop as a master artisan specializing in crafting heads for traditional Hina dolls, known as a kashira-shi. Within the story, he fulfills the dual role of a loving parental figure and a deeply respected craft mentor, offering steady guidance and warm encouragement as his grandson navigates both his artistic training and new personal connections.
Appearance
Kaoru Gojou is an elderly man of small stature with a slightly hunched posture. He has short white hair, wears eyeglasses, and sports light stubble around his chin. His signature outfit consists of a traditional Japanese work garment called a samue, which he pairs with black-laced sandals on his feet.
Personality
Kaoru Gojou possesses a dedication to his craft, maintaining high standards for technical discipline while remaining an open-minded and empathetic guardian. Deeply concerned by Wakana Gojou's initial lack of companionship, he shows great warmth when his grandson makes friends. Although startled to the point of back injury upon finding women's stockings in the house, Kaoru quickly demonstrates understanding once explained. He exhibits generous hospitality by inviting Kitagawa Marin for home-cooked meals due to her dietary habits and actively encourages Wakana to gain diverse life experiences to enrich his artistic vision.
Abilities
Kaoru Gojou is a highly skilled kashira-shi, a specialist responsible for crafting the heads of traditional Hina dolls. Operating his studio in Iwatsuki, he possesses extensive professional knowledge regarding traditional garments and styling techniques. His decades of craftsmanship allow him to evaluate costume tailoring and cosmetics application with expert precision, providing valuable technical feedback to his grandson.
Background
Following the demise of Wakana Gojou's parents, Kaoru Gojou raised his grandson as a single guardian and taught him the family business at the Gojou Doll Shop in Iwatsuki. He quietly worried about Wakana's solitary lifestyle until an incident occurred where Kaoru suffered a sudden back injury requiring hospitalization after unexpectedly discovering a pile of women's stockings. This led to his meeting with Kitagawa Marin, whose positive effect on Wakana he warmly embraced. He remains healthy and active into later years, eventually seeing his great-grandchild, Gojou Hika.
Relationships
Kaoru Gojou serves as both grandfather and master craftsman to Wakana Gojou, sharing a relationship built on deep mutual respect. He treats Kitagawa Marin with affection, inviting her to share family meals after learning of her unbalanced eating habits. Furthermore, he lives to see his great-grandchild, Gojou Hika, maintaining a lively presence in the family circle.
Trivia
The Gojou Doll Shop's location in Iwatsuki reflects the real-world region in Saitama Prefecture renowned for traditional Hina doll manufacturing. As an artisan philosophy, Kaoru adheres to the strictly held belief that missing even a single day of craftsmanship practice requires three days of continuous work to recover lost skill.