Antique Hina Matsuri doll Minister – Meiji era c1900

Category : >> available, DOLLS

Antique Hina doll, dating from the Meiji period – c 1900. Handmade in an acclaimed doll workshop in Kyoto and exhibited several times in museums in Japan during Hina Matsuri. Every year on March 3rd, families in Japan celebrate Hina Matsuri, the doll festival or girls’ festival, to wish for good health and happiness of their daughters. This doll is part of a complete set of 15 Hina dolls, representing the emperor, empress, ladies-in-waiting, ministers, musicians and servants.

This antique doll represents a minister. The costume is made of coarsely woven brocade and cotton. The base is made of cardboard filled with sawdust. His face and hands are delicately handcrafted from bisque clay on wood, covered with a top layer of ‘gofun’ (crushed oyster shell). It is old and shows some light signs of age, cracks and scraps on the face, this contributes to the authenticity of the doll. A true piece of Japanese culture and craftsmanship.

Material: brocade, cardboard, sawdust, gofun, wood
Height: 14 cm
Width: 10 cm
Productcode: KD-030