Ningyō: Art and Beauty of Japanese Dolls exhibitions

The Japanese exhibition entitled “Ningyō: Art and Beauty of Japanese Dolls”, one of the interesting cultural activities for children organized by the Japan Foundation in Vietnam this summer, will be held at the National Fine Arts Museum from June 10 to 26.

Ningyō doll exhibition will feature funky creators from Japanese culture. Photo: Pinterest

Under the title Ningyõ, which means “human shape” in Japanese, the doll culture that has been cultivated over the long history of Japan will be introduced through a total of 67 carefully selected dolls, divided into 4 sections: “Ningyō to pray for children’s growth”, “Ningyō as fine art”, “Ningyō as folk art”, and “Spread of Ningyō culture”

The fact that dolls are an indispensable part of people's daily lives is not limited to Japan, but the diversity of dolls and their delicate craftsmanship, backed by a deep love of dolls, could be said to be the characteristics of Japanese doll culture.

This exhibition presents a comprehensive introduction to Japanese doll culture, from Katashiro and Amagatsu, which are considered to be the archetypes of dolls in Japan, to local dolls that reflect the climate and anecdotes from across the country, to dress-up dolls that are beloved in Japan today as doll toys, and scale figures that are highly regarded around the world.

The organizer hope that each doll on exhibition would be warmly welcomed in Hanoi and that many audiences would experience the charm of Japanese dolls.

Meanwhile, another exhibition entitled “Kokeshi- Wooden Japanese Doll” is underway until June 26 at No 27 Quang Trung Street, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi, held by Japan Foundation Center for Cultural Exchange in Vietnam in cooperation with Tsugaru Kokeshi Museum.

Kokeshi are wooden dolls born in the Tohoku region of Japan at the end of the Edo period. Traditional Kokeshi has been generally produced in mountainous areas where hot springs are found.

The exhibition themed Kokeshi- Japanese wooden dolls is underway at Japan Foundation Center for Cultural Exchange in Hanoi. Photo: wakagi.fr

It is said that originally, Kokeshi were souvenirs for children produced by the people called “Kijishi” who made bowls and basins and other utensils to sell at the town of hot springs.

Now traditional Kokeshi are classified into 12 types and they are rooted and characterized with special patterns and techniques that match each production area.

This exhibition displays Kokeshi of both traditional and modern patterns.

In addition, another activity themed Japanese culture is now taking place at Vietnamese Women’s Museum in Hanoi.

The cultural event for children called “Hello Summer 2022 with Japanese Culture” will last until June 14. Alongside with an Kokeshi doll exhibition, the event features a series of interactive experience imbued with the cultural traits of the “Land of the Rising Sun” such as the arts of paper folding Origami, flower arrangements Ikebana, and trying on Kimono, among others.

Visitors to these exhibitions are required to follow pandemic prevention regulations of wearing a mask at all time; washing their hands with hand sanitizer; measuring body temperature. Only 20 people are allowed in the venue at a time.

The space of Japanese dolls exhibition at Vietnamese Women’s Museum in Hanoi. Photo courtesy of the museum