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Take your kids to the Indian Museum for a unique exhibition on Japanese dolls

The exhibition by the Japanese Consulate, Japan Foundation, and the museum showcases specimens and the history of classic and new Japanese dolls

Pooja Mitra Published 16.12.24, 08:14 PM
The Consulate General of Japan in Kolkata, the Indian Museum and the Japan Foundation are hosting a unique exhibition titled ‘Ningyo: Art and Beauty of Japanese dolls’, at the Indian Museum in Kolkata. Inaugurated on December 7 by Nakagawa Koichi, the Consul General of Japan in Kolkata (in pic), and Arijit Dutta Choudhury, the director of the Indian Museum, this exhibition is a must-visit for those interested in the art and culture of Japan
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The Consulate General of Japan in Kolkata, the Indian Museum and the Japan Foundation are hosting a unique exhibition titled ‘Ningyo: Art and Beauty of Japanese dolls’, at the Indian Museum in Kolkata. Inaugurated on December 7 by Nakagawa Koichi, the Consul General of Japan in Kolkata (in pic), and Arijit Dutta Choudhury, the director of the Indian Museum, this exhibition is a must-visit for those interested in the art and culture of Japan

All images by Soumyajit Dey
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The eyecatching dolls are displayed with a brief note about their history. In the collection is the popular Takasaki Daruma, a paper doll made by artist Minegishi Kimitsugu. The history of the doll speaks about Daruma Daishi, which is the Japanese name given to Bodhidharma, who, legend says, was the founder of Zen Buddhism. The dolls are used to manifest wishes and the eyes are not painted when they are made because one eye is drawn while making a wish, and the second eye is drawn on the fulfillment of the wish
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The eyecatching dolls are displayed with a brief note about their history. In the collection is the popular Takasaki Daruma, a paper doll made by artist Minegishi Kimitsugu. The history of the doll speaks about Daruma Daishi, which is the Japanese name given to Bodhidharma, who, legend says, was the founder of Zen Buddhism. The dolls are used to manifest wishes and the eyes are not painted when they are made because one eye is drawn while making a wish, and the second eye is drawn on the fulfillment of the wish

Titled ‘Peacefully’, this doll of a child with an angelic face sleeping peacefully is known for its human-like skin, which is made of leather
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Titled ‘Peacefully’, this doll of a child with an angelic face sleeping peacefully is known for its human-like skin, which is made of leather

This work is named ‘Let the pure rain fall’ and is by an artist named Igeta Hiroko. The doll is made with baked clay and depicts the wish to become like a cloud that will pour rain on the land
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This work is named ‘Let the pure rain fall’ and is by an artist named Igeta Hiroko. The doll is made with baked clay and depicts the wish to become like a cloud that will pour rain on the land

Takamatsu Hariko: Hoko-san and (right) Takamatsu Hariko: Tai-mochi Ebisu are paper dolls made by Ohita Mikiko. The Hoko-san dolls are modelled after a character from Japanese folklore named Omaki — a little servant girl who took on the illness of a princess and saved the royal’s life. The other doll with the fish is a depiction of deity Ebisu, who is worshipped by the fishing community for happiness and a bountiful catch
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Takamatsu Hariko: Hoko-san and (right) Takamatsu Hariko: Tai-mochi Ebisu are paper dolls made by Ohita Mikiko. The Hoko-san dolls are modelled after a character from Japanese folklore named Omaki — a little servant girl who took on the illness of a princess and saved the royal’s life. The other doll with the fish is a depiction of deity Ebisu, who is worshipped by the fishing community for happiness and a bountiful catch

Joruri Ningyo: Takechi Jujiro is popular in Japanese puppet theatre. This doll is the replica of a commander in the military. These puppets can open and close their eyes on the expert handling of a puppeteer
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Joruri Ningyo: Takechi Jujiro is popular in Japanese puppet theatre. This doll is the replica of a commander in the military. These puppets can open and close their eyes on the expert handling of a puppeteer

Licca-chan dolls are made of plastic. They first came into being in 1967, and the physical shape and facial expression of the dolls have undergone some change over the years. The Licca-chan dolls were popular in the Edo period — a time period named after the city Edo, which is now called Tokyo
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Licca-chan dolls are made of plastic. They first came into being in 1967, and the physical shape and facial expression of the dolls have undergone some change over the years. The Licca-chan dolls were popular in the Edo period — a time period named after the city Edo, which is now called Tokyo

The paper-made versions of Ryukyu Hariko: Chin-chin Uma by Toyonaga Morito showcase the riding style of the royal family of the Ryukyu Kingdom. The dolls and the horses are placed on wheeled bases and dressed in colourful attires
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The paper-made versions of Ryukyu Hariko: Chin-chin Uma by Toyonaga Morito showcase the riding style of the royal family of the Ryukyu Kingdom. The dolls and the horses are placed on wheeled bases and dressed in colourful attires

Obata Ningyo: Manju-kul and (right) Obata Ningyo: Sumo wrestlers are made with clay. Obata Ningyo was first created based on Fushimi Ningyo dolls and has a story attached to it. It is said that upon asking a child who he preferred more — his father or his mother — responded by splitting a manju bun (a traditional Japanese confectionery item) into two and asking his parents which piece tasted better. The sumo wrestler doll symbolises strength and health
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Obata Ningyo: Manju-kul and (right) Obata Ningyo: Sumo wrestlers are made with clay. Obata Ningyo was first created based on Fushimi Ningyo dolls and has a story attached to it. It is said that upon asking a child who he preferred more — his father or his mother — responded by splitting a manju bun (a traditional Japanese confectionery item) into two and asking his parents which piece tasted better. The sumo wrestler doll symbolises strength and health

This doll named ‘Sharing warmth’ is made by Fukuda Tomoko. The texture of the skin is made with cloth, and the doll represents the camaraderie between an elderly woman and her cat
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This doll named ‘Sharing warmth’ is made by Fukuda Tomoko. The texture of the skin is made with cloth, and the doll represents the camaraderie between an elderly woman and her cat

Made by sculptors Tokunaga Hironori and Ken Yokota, these dolls are artistic versions of well-known characters from animations and games
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Made by sculptors Tokunaga Hironori and Ken Yokota, these dolls are artistic versions of well-known characters from animations and games

The exhibition is a perfect way to celebrate the pre-Christmas festivities with your kids, and is on Tuesday - Sunday, 10am - 6pm, until December 22
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The exhibition is a perfect way to celebrate the pre-Christmas festivities with your kids, and is on Tuesday - Sunday, 10am - 6pm, until December 22

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Exhibition Art Exhibition Indian Museum Japanese Consulate Dolls Japanese Culture
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