天児 / 東京国立博物館

Birth of hina dolls

The history of dolls associated with hina dolls dates back to an ancient ritual in which impurities were transferred to thin sheets of wood or other material in the shape of a human being and then thrown into water. In the Imperial Court, simple figure dolls such as amagatsu and hōko existed since the Heian period as protective charms for infants.

The Heian aristocracy also used to engage in "Hiina asobi", playing with small dolls and furnishings. Hiina asobi is also found in the literature of the Kamakura and Muromachi periods.

Hiina asobi depicted in Makura no soshi

In "Makura no soshi", a literary essay written in the Heian period, the author Sei Shōnagon says "hiina asobi" is one of the things that she misses about the past (line 5 of the book image).

The use of dolls, entrusting them with prayers and sometimes playing with them, continued into the Edo period (1603–1868), during which the tradition of displaying hina dolls during the Peach Festival became established, wishing for the happiness of girls. Hina dolls in the early Edo period are thought to have been standing paper dolls that were used mainly for play.

Entrusting wishes to dolls

"Amagatsu", a kind of katashiro (substitute doll) to protect children from bad luck, were used in the Imperial Court since the Heian period, and spread to the higher class warrior families during the Edo period. The body of an amagatsu is made of round wooden sticks wrapped with silk and assembled in a T shape. The wrinkles on the face represent a wish for longevity. Hōko is a doll made of rectangular pieces of silk, sewn shut from all sides and stuffed with silk cotton to form the body. Its simple form resembles an infant, and in ancient times it was placed face down, hence the name "hōko" or "a crawling child".

In the early Edo period, "tachibina" or standing hina dolls, started to be made. This "koshiki tachibina" is one of the oldest and most precious tachibina. The round face, little dumpling nose and thin eyes create a lovely expression.

Appearance of suwaribina

In the first half of the seventeenth century, suwaribina (sitting hina dolls) in silk garments appeared, specially made for the Imperial Court. The origin of suwaribina in the costumes we see today can be seen in this period.