The history of HAKATA Ningyo (Dolls) is long, dating back to 1600 when Kuroda Nagamasa built Fukuoka Castle. It is said that a craftsman who learned pottery techniques from the carvings of gargoyles presented excellent works to the lord of the domain. It is also said that the earthenware toy dolls made by residents of Hakata Gion in the first half of the 19th century were the origin of HAKATA Ningyo (Dolls).

• Technology/techniques/raw materials

  Technology/techniques/raw materials

  Technology/techniques

  1. After preparing the clay by elutriation, it is left to rest.

  2. White clay should be used for creating the prototype. In this case, the skin areas should be polished.

  3. The molding process shall be carried out by "ink marking" and "cutting." In this case, the mold shall be a plaster mold.

  4. The base material preparation shall be carried out using the following techniques or methods:
  (1) By "pushing by hand" or "pouring." In the case of "pouring," the bottom must be lined.
  (2) The cutting surface should be fitted by first making a "cut groove" and then applying "slip".
  (3) When decoration is to be added, it shall be done by "engraving" or "slip application".
  (4) Fire the product.

  5. The coloring shall be done using the following techniques or methods:
  (1) After applying a glossy finish to the skin area using an aqueous solution of white pigment and animal glue, the hair is drawn, and the kimono area is painted and patterns are drawn.
  (2) When decoration is to be applied, it shall be done by "gold leaf application," "raised decoration," or "polished gold."

  6. Face painting involves using a fine-tipped brush to apply lipstick, draw in the eyes, and draw the eyebrows.

   

  raw materials

  1. The clay used shall be clay from Aburayama or clay of equivalent quality.

  2. The pigments used shall be mineral pigments, mud pigments, or pigments of equivalent material.

• Work scene

  Work scene

  Step 1: Mixing the soil

  The clay, excavated from the vicinity of Fukuoka, is dried, crushed, and elutriated before being carefully kneaded.

  

  Process 2: Prototype

  The doll's form is determined through repeated conceptualization and sketching. The kneaded clay is then meticulously shaped using a spatula. This is a crucial step in determining the doll's form, and it is where the skills honed through training truly shine.

  

  Step 3: Molding

  The original model is surrounded by a clay dam, and plaster is poured into it. By creating a finely divided, intricate mold, the delicate details of the original model can be reproduced more accurately.

  

  Step 4: Dough making

  The clay is carefully and firmly pressed into the plaster mold taken from the original model, and then adhered to the mold. The removed clay is then attached to the mold, and it is finished to resemble the original model and then dried.

  画像をクリックすると動画が再生されます

  工程5： 焼成

  They are fired in electric or gas kilns at approximately 900 degrees Celsius. Until around 1955, they were fired in wood-fired kilns called "sorabuki kilns."

  

  Process 6: Coloring

  The face is repeatedly coated with white pigment to create a base. The coloring is done in the order of the kimono, obi, and patterns, and depending on the doll, techniques such as gold leaf application, raised embellishments, and polishing with real gold are also used.

  画像をクリックすると動画が再生されます

  Process 7: Face

  This process, known as "face painting," is the moment when the artist's soul is imbued into the doll and the doll's expression is determined. The brush is applied to the part of the doll's face called "gloss."

  

  工程8： 完成

  From the initial concept to the final facial features, each HAKATA Ningyo (Dolls) is handcrafted through numerous steps. The skills of master artisans bring these beautiful dolls to life.

  

   

• Close-up

  Close-up

  HAKATA Ningyo (Dolls) that tell joyful "stories"

  HAKATA Ningyo (Dolls) are given as gifts for occasions such as weddings, birthdays, office openings, and housewarmings. Doll makers draw inspiration from Noh and Kabuki theater, imbuing the dolls with a "story" that expresses their wish for the recipient's happiness. I was captivated by the world of HAKATA Ningyo (Dolls), which have developed into one of Japan's most representative dolls while inheriting the culture of the townspeople.

   

  HAKATA Ningyo (Dolls) are born from the brushstrokes and masterful techniques of doll makers.

  I visited the doll workshop of Yuji Osoegawa, a traditional craftsman of HAKATA Ningyo (Dolls), in a quiet residential area along the Muromigawa River in Hakata, Kyushu.
  The process of HAKATA Ningyo (Dolls) begins with the doll maker creating a mold from clay. Next, fine-grained white clay is meticulously kneaded to achieve the lustrous texture of HAKATA Ningyo (Dolls). The clay is then applied to the mold to complete the doll's basic form. To accurately reproduce subtle facial features such as the eyes and nose, a single mold can only produce a maximum of 50 dolls. When producing in large quantities, multiple molds are created. After removing the dolls from the molds and drying, they are fired in a kiln, carefully painted, and facial features are added. The entire process takes approximately 20 to 60 days, and each stroke of color adds a lively and warm expression to the doll.

  

  "Shoki" (Shoki), awarded the Prime Minister's Prize in 1994. Created by Yuji Kofukugawa.

  Traditional crafts, artistry, and business management

  Kofukugawa entered the world of HAKATA Ningyo (Dolls) influenced by his father, Zengo, who worked in HAKATA Ningyo (Dolls) industry. Immediately after graduating from university, he trained under his mentor, doll maker Hiroo Honda, and became independent three years later. He is now one of the leading artists in HAKATA Ningyo (Dolls) industry.
  While artistic expression is highly valued in the world of doll making, managing the workshop is also an important task. The peak demand for HAKATA Ningyo (Dolls) was in 1983, around the time the Shinkansen bullet train opened, and they sold like hotcakes as souvenirs for tourists visiting Hakata. Since then, demand has gradually decreased. Traditional dolls are made for single-story Japanese houses. Mr. Kofukugawa says that the change in living environments, such as the rise of apartments, and the resulting lack of space to display the dolls, is a major reason for the decline in demand.
  In contrast, recently, there has been an increase in doll makers who create new types of dolls, such as small dolls that can be easily placed in apartments, wall-hanging dolls, Hello Kitty dolls, and Daiei Hawks dolls.

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    Yuji Kofukugawa, who paints the faces of dolls.

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    Creating the basic shape. In the background, the 90-year-old mother is adding the coloring.

  Inheriting Hakata culture and passing on Japanese culture

  The history of HAKATA Ningyo (Dolls) dates back to the early 17th century. In 1600 (during the Azuchi-Momoyama period), with Kuroda Nagamasa's entry into Chikuzen Province and the construction of Fukuoka Castle, many craftsmen were gathered, and it is said that unglazed earthenware dolls were created, laying the foundation for the current traditional craft. In the mid-Edo period, production using clay molds began, and supported by townspeople culture such as the Hakata Gion Yamakasa festival, production developed, and in the latter half of the Edo period, they began to be distributed throughout the country.
  HAKATA Ningyo (Dolls) were originally called "Hakata Suyaki Ningyo" (Hakata unglazed pottery dolls). In 1890, when the Third National Industrial Exhibition was held in Tokyo, two exhibitors received awards. On the certificates of commendation, the two characters for "unglazed pottery" were removed from the title "Hakata Suyaki Ningyo," and from that time on, the official name "HAKATA Ningyo (Dolls)" was established, and the name "HAKATA Ningyo (Dolls)" became known to the world as a representative Japanese doll.

  

  A child doll awaiting coloring.

  A story of wishing for happiness

  Many HAKATA Ningyo (Dolls) dolls depict auspicious stories within their forms. While they can be broadly categorized into "beautiful women," "Kabuki," "Noh," "genre scenes," "Buddhist and Taoist themes," and "children," the diverse range of themes, unconstrained by genre, is a result of each doll maker's daily research and expression of their unique style. The attitude of learning from Western painting, Japanese painting, sculpture, and traditional performing arts has greatly influenced the character of HAKATA Ningyo (Dolls).
  Kofukugawa also constantly draws inspiration from traditional theater, seeking new discoveries within it. Not only does he perform at the local Hakataza theater, but he also makes time to see Noh and Kabuki performances when he travels to Osaka or Tokyo. "I'm constantly exploring how to express the spirit of the story through the gestures and expressions of the puppets," Kofukugawa says. Even when he creates a work he is satisfied with, he continues his research in order to create new works.

  

  "Pine, Bamboo, and Plum" by Yuji Kofukugawa

  How about giving HAKATA Ningyo (Dolls) as a gift for a celebration?

  I asked at the doll department of Iwataya, a department store in Hakata, "On what occasions do people usually give dolls as gifts?" They replied that large dolls featuring the Seven Lucky Gods or adorned with gold are popular for office openings. When a close friend has a baby girl, they give a girl doll as a gift, and for the Hina Matsuri (Girls' Festival), they place a small HAKATA Ningyo (Dolls) next to the seven-tiered Hina doll display. For the May festival, they give a small warrior doll to wish for the healthy growth of their child.
  As I walked around the city, I noticed HAKATA Ningyo (Dolls) displayed in the windows of city halls and offices. The more I learned about the world of HAKATA Ningyo (Dolls), the more I was captivated by the elegant stories created by the masterful craftsmanship.

  

  "Dream" - Purchased by Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress in 1992, upon the birth of Princess Mako of Akishino. Created by Yuji Kofukugawa.

  Anecdotes

  I came to Hakata alone, but I came back with a doll.

  HAKATA Ningyo (Dolls) are even sung about in the "Seicho Hakata Bushi" folk song, and are known throughout Japan as a quintessential Hakata souvenir. Behind this success lies the pride of doll makers who have taken root in the culture and traditions of Hakata, including the Hakata Gion Yamakasa festival, one of Hakata's most representative festivals, and have passed down their masterful skills.
  From classical designs based on Noh and Kabuki theater to those depicting the innocent gestures of children, a variety of dolls celebrate people's new beginnings. Recently, wall-hanging types and character-themed dolls such as Hello Kitty and Daiei Hawks dolls have also been developed and are gaining popularity.
  How about enjoying the excitement of the Hakata Gion Yamakasa festival, watching Kabuki at the Hakataza theater, playing baseball at the Fukuoka Dome, dining in Nakasu, and then heading home with HAKATA Ningyo (Dolls) after fully experiencing the sights of Hakata?

   

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    Hakata Gion Yamakasa Festival

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  Wall-mounted type