Seasonal Dolls — Wishes and Appreciation

A charming seasonal exhibition at the Morioka History and Culture Museum invites visitors to explore how the Japanese sense of the seasons is expressed through dolls and festive decorations. In Japan, the passing of the seasons is felt not only through nature – cherry blossoms, autumn leaves, snow, scents of flowers, or seasonal foods – but also through customs and household decorations. Since the Edo period, events such as Hinamatsuri (Girls’ Festival) and Tango no Sekku (Boys’ Festival) became firmly rooted in daily life. As society stabilised and people gained leisure, these celebrations developed into beloved traditions, accompanied by a wide variety of decorative dolls that continue to be cherished today.

Exhibition Highlights

The exhibition focuses on materials related to the Girls’ Festival and Boys’ Festival from the museum’s collection, introducing both the historical background and the characters depicted in the dolls.

The History of Seasonal Dolls

Visitors are introduced to the five traditional seasonal festivals and the culture of dolls that grew from them. Among the highlights are elegant Gosho dolls (Imperial Palace dolls), polished figures of children coated in pure white gofun pigment. Once adored by the imperial court, they were also given as formal gifts to feudal lords.

The Girls’ Festival and Hina Dolls

Hina dolls originated from purification rituals using paper effigies. Over time they evolved from flat paper figures to seated forms. The exhibition displays a wide range of styles including paper hina, Kanei-style hina, Kyōhō-era hina, and the Edo-period Kokin-bina, once immensely popular in the city of Edo.

The Boys’ Festival and May Dolls

Also known as the Iris Festival, the Boys’ Festival became associated with warrior culture. Banners and helmets were displayed outdoors, and later indoors. Dolls depicting heroic figures such as Empress Jingū, Minamoto no Yoshitsune, Benkei, and Kintarō illustrate ideals of bravery and strength.

A special first-time display features an Ichimatsu doll, a dress-up doll with movable joints once used both as a toy and as sewing practice for children.

Related Events

Several activities accompany the exhibition:

• Gallery Talks (March 1, April 9, May 3) – curator-led explanations

• Paper Helmet Workshop (Sundays in April and – make and wear a large origami kabuto

• Hanging Hina Display (Feb 18 – Apr 20) – colourful suspended decorations exhibited in the first-floor festival gallery

Admission includes access to the permanent history exhibition. From April 1: Adults ¥450, High school students ¥300, Children ¥150.