Japanese dolls: Hakata Ningyo

The hakata ningyo They are traditional Japanese clay dolls, originally from the city of Fukuoka, part of which was previously named before the city's merger in 1889.

The commonly accepted origin of Hakata dolls is from the 17th century crafted by artisans including Souhiti Masaki who produced clay dolls, sometimes presented as gifts to Buddhist temples and Kuroda Nagamasa, the ruler of Hakata at the time.

 These dolls were called Hakata Suaki Ningyo ("Unglazed Hakata doll). It should be noted that a famous Gion Yamakasa festival is celebrated in the region, which involves decorated Ningyo floats. The floats are made of wood, but it is believed that the production method of these floats strongly influenced the Hakata doll. However, recent archaeological evidence uncovered during the Hakata excavation, including simple crackers fired toys, has put the origin of Hakata dolls in China.

The truth is that Hakata dolls appeared in the 1890s during the Japan National Industry Expo and the 1900 World's Fair and became a topic of discussion.

In the late 19th century, Hakata dolls were transformed from simple cookies that were burned with toys to works of art. Master craftsman Rokusaburō Shirouzu began studying color theory, human proportions, and other modern art theories and techniques at Itusyo Yada, an oil painter, which led to mass production.

The Hakata doll rose to fame when American soldiers brought them back to the US as souvenirs during the American occupation of Japan after World War II. Japan began exporting Hakata dolls soon after. At the same time, the Hakata doll became well known nationally, and factories began to produce lower-quality Hakata dolls.


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