Dolls of Japan exhibition opens a veil to fantastic and unique world of Japanese festive culture

Dolls (in Japanese language - "ningyo") are the integral element of festive culture of Japan. Art of production of dolls in the Land of the rising sun originates in the Jomon period (10 000 years BC - 300 years BC). In each province the dolls had their own features and were made by original technology. In 1936 the production of dolls received the status of official recognized art. Since 1955 many of famous masters got honorary title "Living national treasure". Japanese dolls are known for the variety and uniqueness of execution, throughout several centuries they take an important place in traditional calendar holidays of Japan. On March 3 in Japan the holiday Hina Matsuri - Holiday of dolls or Holiday of girls is celebrated. This day each family having a girl, makes an exhibition of special dolls - "hina ningyo". They put them on the special support consisting of 3, 5 or 7 steps and covered with a scarlet fabric. On the top there are pair dolls of Emperor and Empress in silk full-dress. At the bottom are dolls of court ladies, musicians, ministers and dignitaries, bodyguards and servants. At the end are subjects of palace use (furniture, cart, caskets, utensils and food). Today each family exposes the set of Hina dolls as a sign of prayers about happiness of their young daughters.

On the 5 of May the holiday of boys - Kodomo-no hi (Children's Day) is also celebrated with dolls. On the eve of "Children's Day" the Japanese families hang out before the house a koinobori - it is a multi-colored flag in the form of carp, which is fluttered in the wind. The quantity of flags depends on number of boys in a family. In Japan a carp is a symbol of courage for its ability to go up stream. On the special shelf covered with green cloth are stood gogatsu ningyo - they are Samurais in armour. Every doll has its own face, character and history. This day parents prayer for their sons to be healthy and strong. The exhibits of the exhibition "Dolls of Japan" will tell a visitor a set of strange stories, slightly open a veil to the fantastic and unique world of Japanese festive culture. The visitors will have an opportunity to understand why dolls in Japan are highly estimated form of art.