Discussion

Hinamatsuri

One of the most important holidays in Japan is Hinamatsuri, Girls Day. It is sometimes known as Dolls Day because of the elaborate display of dolls representing the Emperor, Empress and their court that has been part of the traditional celebration for about four centuries. Hinamatsuri occurs every March 3rd, making this a good time to bring up the subject of dolls.

Hinamatsuri dolls are set on several tiers of red colored cloth. The top tier always has two dolls representing the Emperor and Empress. The appearance of the dolls can vary greatly, but they are always seated and wearing traditional clothing of the Heian Period (1603 - 1868).

Those who have room for larger displays and can afford it will have many members of the imperial court on lower tiers; the higher the tier, the higher the rank of the doll.

Daruma Dolls

Supposedly resembling the founder of Zen Buddhism, Daruma dolls are good luck symbols purchased around New Year. When bought, the eyes have no pupils. A goal or ambition is supposed to be chosen, then one of the pupils is colored in. When the goal is achieved, the other pupil is filled in.

Kintaro Dolls

A figure of Japanese folklore, Kintaro is depicted as a child with Godlike strength. The character has been featured in many Japanese kabuki and bunraki (puppet) plays. The doll is often among displays on Boys Day (May 5) in hopes that male children will grow up strong and brave.

Okinawa Shishi

Shishi figures always come in pairs, one with its mouth open and one with its mouth closed. Handed over from Chinese tradition, they were adopted by what was originally the Ryukyu Kingdom (Okinawa and surrounding islands). Positioned at temple gateways, they protect worshipers from evil. Smaller doll versions of Shishi are sometimes placed outside family homes and on ornament shelves.

Oiran Doll

Inspired by once highly regarded courtesans from the Edo Period's Yoshiwara (red light) district, these realistic dolls are typically dressed in the top fashions for that time. These dolls are often displayed in glass cases (they are definitely not toys) in family homes for admiration of their beauty.

Kokeshi Dolls

There are several more traditional types of Japanese doll than just those shown above, but this week's painting subject is Kokeshi dolls (kokeshi ningyō). 

Kokeshi dolls originated during the late Edo Period in the Tōhoku region of northern Honshu, Japan's largest island. Each town of the region had its own distinctive style. Twelve have been identified. Made for children's toys, all kokeshi ningyō feature elongated limbless bodies. Originally plain, they soon acquired painted features.

These are typical of early designs.

Advance to modern times, and kokeshi have assumed much greater variations.

n spite of the changes, kokeshi have retained their basic simplicity.

Some are overwhelmingly cute (kawaii).

In 1956, Japan honored its kokeshi tradition with a postage stamp.