Japanese dolls

1. Definition of the word - What are Japanese dolls ?

Japanese dolls, this expression may be strange enough as well as French dolls, but it implies Japan's traditional dolls especially, including many online stores, on the internet. So, first of all, we have to bring out the meaning of "Japanese dolls" because it's too much extensive use of Japan's traditional dolls, and we think that it helps to eliminate confusion and misunderstanding on the expression of Japanese dolls.

1. so-called friendship dolls - it is the origin of the word of Japanese dolls
We guess that the expression of Japanese dolls in English firstly was used in friendship dolls in 1927 and that this expression was spread over the world, including the United States of America, after this event. Generally speaking, friendship dolls which were sent to United States in 1927 were Ichimatsu dolls, and Japan's people in nowadays don't call Ichimatu Ningyo "Nihon Ningyo=Japanese dolls" in an ordinary way.

2. Japanese dolls in Japan
As a matter of fact, there is no complete definition of Japanese dolls even in Japan. When Japan's people call a doll "Nihon Ningyo =Japanese dolls", it means this type, so to speak, as the highest common factor. (Nihon in Japanese means Japan, and Ningyo means dolls.) In short, in Japan, Nihon Ningyo means Japanese lady's dolls who are wearing Kimono in Japan. (The theme of Ichimatsu dolls is Japanese girls, please see below.)

3. Japanese dolls on the internet
In general, Japanese dolls means Japan's traditional dolls on the internet. As you know, however, Japanese dolls are a dime a dozen at online shop on the internet, and a great majority of of cheap Japanese dolls is "made in China". (We think that Japanese dolls should be "made in Japan" for preventing various confusions. )

2. Categories of Japan's traditional dolls in Japan

1. Japanese dolls = Nihon Ningyo in Japanese (Another name; Oyama Ningyo or Ishyo Ningyo, in Japanese)
In Edo period (AD1603-1867), Bride's parent had to make preparation for her wedding , including household items as Japan's traditional custom, and Japanese doll was one of them because it was believed that Japanese dolls can take away bad luck, that is to say, Japanese dolls were a kind of scapegoat to avoid bad luck for bride. Then, until about 20 years ago, such tradition had been kept especially in Japan's countryside. In short, because of a kind of scapegoat of bride, Nihon Ningyo in Japanese has been dolls of Japanese beautiful lady, and so the uses of Japanese doll are gifts from bride's friends in many cases in today's Japan.

Overview of handcrafting process :

1. Ordinary handcrafting process
Firstly, craftsmen make the wooden frame for Japanese dolls, then dolls are dressed. (But, in the case of inexpensive doll, body of dolls are made from resin.) Please note that the handcrafting process of Japanese dolls is divided in many different ways by each craftsmen and you can not confirm craftsman's name in usual case, except for very expensive dolls.

2. Special handcrafting process, Kimekomi dolls
Please see below.

2. Japaese girls dolls=Ichimatsu Ningyo in Japanese
Originally, Ichimatsu doll in Japanese was dress-up doll until about 80 years ago, that is, they were a kind of toy for kids. However, Ichimatsu doll presently never means dress-up doll but mere Japanese girls doll. ( friendship dolls were dress-up doll.). In today's Japan, Ichimatsu dolls are considered as a kind of "a charm against evil" for baby girls, wishing healthy growth. And so, a great majority of Ichimastu doll is purchased as gifts, especially gifts from grandparents of baby girl.

Overview of handcrafting process : same as above

3. Japanese boys dolls =Satsuki Ningyo in Japanese (Another name; Musya Ningyou, in Japanese)
Because of Confucian ethics, respect for parents had been encouraged in Japan from Edo period (AD1603-1867). It is naturally to be expected, therefore, that a son has to support his parents in various aspects of life after his growing up, and so Japanese people tend to celebrate birth of baby boy than birth of baby girl. (In many cases, in Japan, son and his wife live with his parents even after his marriage.)

By the same reason of Ichimatsu dolls, the purpose of purchasing Satsuki dolls is gifts, especially gifts from grandparents of baby boys, without exception. Though Satsuki ningyo belongs to Samurai dolls, all Satsuki dolls are boys dolls which are wearing Japanese Samurai armor. In short, Satsuki dolls are never collector's item, and so the uses in Japan are gift only. (Generally speaking, so-called Samurai dolls are hardly sold in Japan except for Hakata dolls.)

Overview of handcrafting process : same as above

4. Hina dolls =Hina Ningyo in Japanese
Hinamatsuri, annual event on March 3 in Japan, is Japan's traditional custom, which are custom to pray for healthy growth of girls. In Japan's many homes on March 3, Hina dolls, which consists of about 10 dolls and various accessories, are decorated in spare room because Hina dolls are very bulky. Interestingly enough, Japanese people believe that parents immediately have to put away Hina dolls for avoiding late marriage after Hinamatsuri.

5. Kyo dolls = Kyo Ningyo in Japanese
Historically speaking of Japanese dolls, the major handcrafting region in Japan has been Kyoto and Edo (Tokyo), and Kyo in Japanese means an abbreviation for Kyoto. That is, please note that Kyo doll merely means the generic name for Japan's tarditional dolls which are made in Kyoto.

6. Hakata dolls
Please visit this page.

7. Kimekomi dolls
Kimekomi doll means the generic name for a type of handcrafting process of Japan's traditional dolls which are mainly made in Tokyo (=old name, Edo).

Overview of handcrafting process :
At first, craftsmen form a mold for a doll. Then, craftsmen jam a special raw material, which consists of powdered paulownia wood and paste, into a mold, and craftsmen make prototype of a doll by natural drying with special raw materials molded. Finally, dolls are dressed by inserting doll's cloth into grooves of prototype.

8. Japanese paper dolls = Washi ningyo in Japanese
Washi ningyo is the generic name of dolls made by using Japanese handmade paper, Washi.

9. Folk crafts (=Mingeihin in Japanese)
In usual case, Japanese people would think that Kokeshi dolls and bamboo dolls are folk crafts in Japan. Because of inexpensive dolls, these dolls are very popular for souvenirs of domestic trip in Japan. (Mingeihin in Japanese is the generic name for items of folk crafts.)