The Dolls of Japan Shapes of Prayer, Embodiments of Love

The Dolls of Japan introduces Japan's representative dolls. In Japan, dolls have been a part of everyday life since ancient times. Japanese dolls reflect the custom of Japan and the aspirations of its people, possess distinctive regional attributes, and over the centuries have developed in many diverse forms. Dolls also provide a showcase for traditional Japanese craft products, such as textiles.

Photo1 Gosho Ningyo(Imperial Palace Dolls) - Dolls made with large heads and fair skin to convey the sweet appearance of small children. This child represents the newborn who has started Haihai: crawling.

Photo3 Hakata Ningyo (Hakata Dolls) - Hakata dolls, which are made in Hakata area of Kyushu and are representative of clay dolls in Japan, are known particularly for their beautiful colors. Dohyo-in: a yokozuna, grand champion sumo wrestler, enacts a spectacular ritual before a match.

Photo6 Gogatsu Ningyo (Dolls for the Boys Festival) - The festival for boys that corresponds to the Dools Festival is called Tango no Sekku: Flag Festival, or simply Boys Festival, and is held on May 5. Families whit sons display splendid sets of miniature armor and figures of costumed warriors and offer prayers that their sons will grow up strong and healthy. Uijin, Toko-Kazari: Warrior's First Battle. This is one example of a display of the Gogatsu Ningyo. This figure is a young warrior going to his first battle.