Traditional Japanese dolls: description, photo

2024 Author: Priscilla Miln | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 00:21

Empty shell, glass eyes, beautiful dress - these are ordinary dolls that girls play with in childhood, and when a child grows up, they throw it away without regret. This is done everywhere, but not in Japan. Japanese dolls are a special kind of art, most of them are not intended for games, but for various kinds of rituals. What are the dolls in the Land of the Rising Sun and what are their features? This is what we will talk about today.

Ninge

All traditional dolls in Japan are called ninge. This word is made up of two kanji 人形, meaning "person" and "form". Therefore, in literal translation, Japanese dolls are called "human form".

There are many types of dolls in the Land of the Rising Sun. Some depict children, others depict the imperial family and courtiers, others depict fairy-tale characters, warriors or demons. Most of the dolls are made for traditional Japanese holidays or for gifts. Some are made specifically for tourists, as souvenirs.

Initially, Japanese dolls were created to protect the home and family from serious illnesses, curses and evil spirits. But today they have largely lost theirmystical spirit, turning into an exquisite piece of art.

First samples

The first dolls appeared in Japan over 10 thousand years ago. These were simple figurines-amulets. For a long time they did not change their shape, only in the Kofun era (300-710 AD) large clay monuments of warriors and animals began to appear, which were installed on graves as monuments, which simultaneously played the role of guards.

Dolls turned into toys in the Heian era - 784-1185. In the Edo period, the creation of dolls began to be considered a real art. This time is marked by the creation of ninge of various forms and purposes.

In 1936, Japanese dolls received the status of an officially recognized art. Since 1955, each spring, selected ningye makers have been able to receive the honorary title of Living National Treasure.

Sacrificed

In the process of development of the puppet industry, ninge began to be used in a variety of areas of human activity. At one time they were used to remove the evil eye, and were sacrificed instead of animals. It was believed that if the monk performed the ritual correctly, then the doll would become as strong a victim as an animal, and in some cases even better.

For rituals with sacrifice, dolls were made in the form of a person, not an animal. The ritual itself consisted of a simple manipulation: the priest tied a curse or illness to a figure that replaced a person. It was believed that ritual dolls have a soul, so it is unthinkable to throw them away. Ninge, who adopted a disease from a person, was burned or drowned in the river.

At a time when such rituals were very popular, many stories were invented about vengeful dolls that had their own will and were endowed with great power. Such warning stories acted as a kind of guarantee that the ritual would be carried out to the end. Those who were lucky enough to become a participant in such an event and hear first-hand terrible stories about living Nings began to realize that these were not toys. Japanese dolls are indeed ritual attributes.

Materials and varieties

To create dolls, wood, clay, paper, natural fabrics and even live chrysanthemums are often used. Although ninge are a common cultural heritage today, some Japanese sincerely believe that the right dolls will help improve he alth, bring we alth and protect against harm. Japanese dolls can hardly be called simple, they are expensive, and in houses they stand in a place of honor - in the red corner (this is a kind of sanctuary for spirits).

Traditional Japanese dolls come in many varieties:

• Hina-ninge.
• Gogatsu-ninge.
• Karakuri-ninge.
• Gose-ninge.
• Kimekomi-ninge.
• Hakata-ninge.
• Kokeshi.
• Daruma.
• Kiku-ninge.

Wooden figurines

In Japan, dolls are more than just fun. This is a whole world that has its own history, religion and aesthetics. So for the most part theyintended for adults.

For several centuries in Japan there have been wooden dolls that represent a painted cone-shaped figure with a large head. These are Japanese Kokeshi dolls (in a different pronunciation of Kokeshi).

They are completely covered with elegant ornaments, they consist of a cylindrical body and a disproportionately large head. There are cases when such a doll is carved from a single piece of wood, but this is an exception to the rule.

For such dolls, the absence of arms and legs is characteristic. Today, Kokeshi is a popular souvenir product, every self-respecting tourist will definitely take such a ningye home.

Japanese Tumblers

Another type of Japanese dolls is Daruma, or roly-poly doll. But this is only for us, tumblers are considered fun entertainment for children under seven years old. In Japan, Daruma is an artifact with which the inhabitants of the country perform rituals for the fulfillment of desires. In Japanese mythology, Daruma is considered the personification of a deity that brings happiness.

To make a wish come true, on New Year's Eve you need to come to the temple and buy a Daruma doll there. After you need to make a wish and write it on one of the eyes of the ning, on the chin of the doll the owner writes his name. Throughout the year, this Daruma should be kept in the house in the most visible place, you can put it on the home altar - butsudan.

If a wish comes true in a year, then the second eye is added to the doll, and if nothing changes, then you need to take Daruma to that temple,where it was purchased, burn it and buy a new one. Burning a doll on the territory of the temple is a symbol of purification, and means that a person does not give up his goals, but is looking for new ways to achieve them.

Japanese girl dolls

Since the 17th century, Japan has annually celebrated Hinamatsuri "Girls' Day", or the so-called Japanese Doll Festival. This holiday is considered one of the main ones in Japan, it is celebrated on March 3rd.

In ancient times, this event had a more mystical meaning: girls and girls let paper ninge along the river, which were supposed to take misfortunes and illnesses with them.

Today this holiday is preserved only in a few places. On the day of the holiday, on the banks of the rivers closest to the city, girls and girls in beautiful, elegant kimonos, as well as their parents, gather and float flat, round wicker baskets along the river, where several Nagashi-bina paper dolls lie.

The founder of this holiday was Emperor Yeshimune, who had many daughters. First, the court nobility followed his example, after them all the rich people of that time began to hold such an event, and after that the whole country began to do the same.

Modern Hinamatsuri

Today, on this holiday, families with daughters arrange an exhibition of puppets - "hina" in the house. A multi-tiered staircase is installed in the house - hinakajiri, which is covered with a red cloth. These steps symbolically depict the tiers of court life. On the top step is the imperial couple. These dolls are very expensivesince the clothes are made to order from high quality materials, in addition, the Empress is dressed in 12 kimonos, as is the case in reality.

The court ladies-in-waiting are placed one level below, holding objects for serving sake. Palace guards are placed even lower steps, court musicians stand under them. After the musicians, ministers are put up, and the servants stand on the lowest tier.

Purchase and legacy

These dolls are handed down through the mother's side of the family and are exhibited the first year after a girl's birth. During the holiday period, the child can not only admire the home puppet show, but also play with them. There is also a belief that if the dolls are not removed within three days after the holiday, then the daughters will not be able to get married for a long time.

A complete set consists of 15 dolls, sometimes another tier is made on which household items are displayed, that is, doll furniture. The staircase itself is richly decorated with lanterns and flowers, in addition to dolls, screens and tiny trees are placed on the shelves. All jewelry is purchased at a special fair, a complete set of chin dolls costs about 10 thousand euros. If the family does not have enough money to buy dolls, they can be replaced with paper counterparts.

Other dolls

In addition to those already presented, there are other varieties of dolls. Gogatsu-ninge or May dolls are an obligatory part of the Tango no Sekku, or Children's Day celebration. These dolls depict samurai in a complete set.armor, historical characters, heroes of epics, folklore, tigers and horses.

Karikuri-ninge are mechanical puppets. Gose-ninge are small Japanese puppets depicting fat-cheeked children. They are carved from wood and covered with a composition made from oyster shells. They were first made by craftsmen at the imperial court, hence the name - palace dolls. Gose-ninge are considered mascots for travelers.

Kimekomi are wooden dolls completely covered with cloth. The first Kimekomi appeared in the Kamo temple (Kyoto), then at the beginning of the 17th century, the monks made souvenirs for sale. The first dolls were carved from wood, modern Kimekomi are made from wood-glue.

Special incisions are made on the body of the figurine, where the edges of the fabric are tucked in, hence the name: "komi" - to fill, "kime" - a wooden edge.

Hakata and Kiku-ninge

Hakata-ninge are dolls made of ceramics. According to legend, the first such figurines appeared in Fukuoka Prefecture. In 1900, these dolls were presented at the Paris Exhibition. In 1924, the Hakata-ninga, depicting three dancing girls, received a silver award at the Paris International Fair.

And the most interesting piece of puppet art Kiku-ninge - figurines of live chrysanthemums.

They consist of a bamboo base, on which chrysanthemums dug with roots with small flowers are attached. To make such a work longer pleasing to the eye, the rootschrysanthemums are wrapped in moss. The height of Kiku-ninge is equal to human height, the face and hands for the flower figure are made of papier-mâché. Every autumn, during the flowering of chrysanthemums, such dolls can be seen at traditional exhibitions in the city of Hirakata and Nihonmatsu.

Ninge is a separate universe with a rich history and diverse traditions. Photos of Japanese dolls, which are presented in the article, are not able to convey all their splendor. But even so, it is clear that these are not just toys, but real works of art.