BENTA DOLLS
need a photo of an antique example and more information

DARUMA DOLLS AND DOLL MOLDS

Daruma Ninygo lathe turned, painted, egg shapes one is varnished photo thanks to the Funk Collection

Daruma dolls ~ more info coming soon ~

KAMO NINGYO (YANAGI NINGYO)

Kamo Dolls: Sparrow Dance Edo Period, 18th C (Kyoto National Museum)

Kamo Ningyo (Yanagi Ningyo) are cheerful short and squat willow dolls. Kyoto National Museum states that they were quite tiny - less than 3" tall. They are typically between 5 and 7 cm but some dolls are less than 1 cm (3/8") tall! Cloth was glued to the unfinished wood, which was shaped to represent the clothing. From J.A.D.E.'s "Japanese Doll Terminology" we find that Takashi Tadashige, a priest at the Kamo-gami shrine, is credited with creating the first kamo doll in the mid-18th century. He carved his dolls from scraps of willow wood and glued on scraps of cloth, carving grooves to tuck in the raw edges of the material since he did not know how to sew.

KOKESHI

Lathe turned Japanese Dolls Dento (traditional) Kokeshi L to R: Narugo, Narugo, Tsugaru Strains photo thanks to the Funk Collection

Kokeshi are simple, turned, traditional wood dolls treasured by generations of Japanese people and are still being made by Japanese craftsmen today. Kokeshi are perhaps one of the most popular little souvenirs of any trip to Japan so I list these dolls on the Lotz Japanese Wooden Souvenir Doll Page. A day in Kokeshi Land by Laurel Sheppard

Kubi ningyo, clay dolls on a wood stick (with a wood doll history?)

click image for larger image Kubi Ningyo clay dolls on a wood stick (with a wood doll history?) photo from out of print book: THE JAPANESE DOLL by Luella Tilton Hart 1952 Does anyone have a wooden headed example of a Kubi ningyo to share?

In the book, THE JAPANESE DOLL by Luella Tilton Hart 1952, the Kubi ningyo is described as follows:  The word "Kubi-ningyo" (neck doll) refers to the little doll or animal heads of clay (the oldest ones were likely carved from wood) on a bamboo stick. The animal type are offered at the tutelary shrines to guard children against intestinal worms, night crying and coughing. These animal heads often represent the twelve Zodiacal signs: the rat, ox, tiger, hare, dragon, serpent, horse, sheep, monkey, cock, dog and boar. The Anesama kubi ningyo are doll heads on bamboo stick and are used as toy dolls. The girl may wrap bits of cloth or paper around the stick or she may insert the stick end into a homemade body. Judy Shoaf (a JADE member) adds,  "Interestingly, the human heads are called Anesama, the name that Lea Baten gives to the paper "big sister" dolls - these wooden heads could be used as the heads of paper dolls, or I suppose homemade kimekomi or stuffed bodies. Nowadays I think the Anesama usually have paper heads"

There is an amazing resemblance between Kubi Ningyo and small Awaji rod puppet heads used by itinerant puppeteers in rites to ward off evil spirits, illness and misfortune. This resemblance is especially noticeable in the frowning Kubi Ningyo in the middle of the illustrating photograph. Were these Kubi Ningyo potent souvenirs of an Awaji rod puppet festival or ceremony held at the shrines?

The text of THE JAPANESE DOLL states that they are clay dolls on a wood stick. But I expect to find thickly coated toso Kubi dolls, and I can almost guarantee that the oldest Kubi dolls were hand-carved wood. Well we will need more research here. Please let me know if you have seen or have a carved wooden Kubi Ningyo.

Please check out the frowning Awaji rod puppet and the drawing from Konokoro-gusa (1682) which shows an intricate portable puppet theater box used by an itinerant Awaji puppeteer. Also note how small the puppets are!

more info: Lotz Asian Wooden Puppet Pages.

OUCHI NINGYO

need a photo of an antique example

Ouchi dolls are simple round forms painted to represent many different types of dolls. They are simply painted or painted and laquered. The Ouchi doll tradition died out but was revived in the 20's. Ouchi bina dolls are popular egg shaped emperor and empress pairs, symbolizing a happy family.

SAGA NINGYO

Saga dolls are considered the rarest and most sought after Japanese dolls. They originated in Saga, a small town near Kyoto in the early 18th century. Later Saga-styled dolls, called "Edo Saga ningyo" were re-introduced by a shop in Edo in the late 18th century to capitalize on the Saga doll popularity, but they lacked the older dolls' more subtle coloration and artistry. They also had more unbalanced animated poses so the dolls required the use of a stand.
 

click on image for larger image Saga Ningyo (boy holding a dog) from the Ayervais collection Saga Ningyo (Boy Holding a Dog) (Kyoto National Museum) Edo Period, 17th Century

There are two theories to the original creators of Saga dolls: They were created by Noh mask carvers. The mask carvers were skilled artisans who were very familiar with the use of sabi (gesso).  Buddhist monks or temple craftsmen created them. These artisans were skilled carvers who sculpted Buddhist figures.  Lea Baten offers the following as evidence of the religious origin of Saga ningyo:    "The relief work and ornamental gilding of the clothes, show a marked resemblance to the decoration found on the robes of Buddhist statues. Many Saga ningyo represent young temple attendants (Doji) carrying small animals such as dogs, bird, and roosters." Lea also points out that a statue of Hotei "the happy Buddha" is executed in the Saga manner at the Manpuku-ji temple in Uji. Lea Baten explains that there are some animated SAGA dolls (karakuri) which can shake their heads and stick out their tongues when moved. Kyoto National Museum states that saga dolls often represent Taoist figures or naked children and were finished with white pigment and richly decorated with gold leaf and mineral colors. Gosho dolls may have developed from the saga Ningyo representing naked children. Saga Dolls (Naked Children) (Kyoto National Museum) Edo Period, 18th Century

Sasano ningyo

photo from out of print book: THE JAPANESE DOLL by Luella Tilton Hart 1952

In the book, THE JAPANESE DOLL by Luella Tilton Hart 1952, the Sasano ningyo is described as follows:  On June 17th and December 17th a festival is observed at the Sasano-Kannon temple. The Sasano ningyo is sold, as a symbol of good luck. It is carved of wood, into the figures of Ebisu and Daikoku, two of the seven Gods of Good Fortune. This pair are believed to possess the power of bringing success in life, turning one's luck and dispelling disease. From the small black and white photo in the book, they seem to be carved using the "itto-bori" (one knife carving) technique and look very similar to Nara ningyo in style.

Shishi Odori Ningyo (Lion Dance Dolls)

need a photo

These wood dolls were first made in 1929 to represent dancers performing the "shishi odori" ("lion dance"). See "Japanese Folk Toys - The Playful Arts" by Lea Baten.

Take Ningyo (Bamboo Doll)

These wood dolls are a specialty of the Fukui Prefecture. The bamboo is sliced, split and reassembled to form the doll and clothing with graceful or powerful poses. These dolls are made of natural and tinted pieces of bamboo. They represent subjects from mythology, kabuki actors, and famous dancers.

bamboo lady by Yasutaka Morota and Sanshiro Yonenaga

A Modern Japanese Artist Sculpting Traditional Japanese Dolls in wood. These wood dolls are a specialty of the Fukui Prefecture. The bamboo is sliced, split and reassembled to form the doll and clothing with graceful or powerful poses. These dolls are made of natural and tinted pieces of bamboo. They represent subjects from mythology, kabuki actors, and famous dancers.  Yasutaka Morota and Sanshiro Yonenaga are two brothers who began to make dolls from Echizen bamboo around 1951 - historical figures, dancing ladies, musicians and monks from local temples.  More about these bamboo dolls - from the Fukui prefecture travel page.