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Hina and Japanese Dolls

  • Image of "Standing Hina Dolls with Jirōzaemon Heads, Edo period, 18th–19th century"

    Standing Hina Dolls with Jirōzaemon Heads, Edo period, 18th–19th century

    Japanese Gallery (Honkan) Room 14
    February 22, 2022 (Tue) - March 21, 2022 (Mon)

    March 3 is the Doll "Festival" or "Girl’s Day" in Japan. On this day, many families display dolls called hina at their homes. Depicting married couples in aristocratic clothes, these dolls represent parents’ wishes for their daughters to grow up happy and healthy.

    They were extremely popular in the Edo period (1603–1868), which saw the production of many high-quality examples. Both adorable and intricately crafted, hina are thought by some to epitomize the aesthetic tastes of Japan’s people.

 Major works in this exhibition
* Works listed below are in the TNM Collection unless otherwise indicated.
 Major works in this exhibition
* Works listed below are in the TNM Collection unless otherwise indicated.
Kokin Dolls, By Sueyoshi Sekishū, Edo period, 1827, Gift of Mrs. Yamamoto Yoneko
Standing Hina Dolls with Jirōzaemon Heads, Edo period, 18th–19th century
"Imperial Palace" Doll, Edo period, 19th century
Hina Dolls with Ivory Heads, Edo period, ca. 1850, Gift of Mrs. Mitani Tei
Miniature Palace for Hina Dolls, Edo period, ca. 1850, Gift of Mrs. Mitani Tei