Imperial Court Doll / Yusoku-bina / Authentic Ritual Style / No.1

Product Description : Why is it so EXPENSIVE?

Product Story

General Product Information

Costumed dolls are the most mass-produced type of dolls and are currently the mainstream of "Kyoto dolls".
These dolls were made in the middle of the Edo period (1603-1867) and were dressed in the costumes of "Yusoku" (officials involved in ceremonies, events, government posts, etc.) of the Imperial Court and court nobles.
The costumes are small in size but as accurate as those of actual adults, and everything from the costume style to the hairstyle is a faithful reproduction of the court nobility's ceremonial style.

Dolls with Souls
In Japan, it has been said since ancient times that dolls have souls. It is believed that the wishes and thoughts of the doll's owner are transferred to the doll, and various wishes have been placed on the doll and handled.

It is said to be the culmination of traditional craftsmanship, as each craftsman uses the same quality techniques and materials as those used for actual human beings.
Why don't you display in your room a masterpiece of "Japanese beauty" a condensed version of Kyoto's traditional crafts and their techniques?

 Product History

When did these crafts start to craft?：1200 years ago / 800AD / Heian period in Japan

Kyo dolls are Japanese dolls made in the Kyoto. Each parts need each specialist; head masters, hands and feet masters, hair dressers, props masters, and body dressers are all trained in their respective crafts.
The characteristic of Kyo doll is the high quality and deep taste produced by the detailed division of labor in the production process.
Dolls have been used as objects of worship and the tool of curse since ancient times, and were called "hitogata" or "katashiro" with the meaning of a substitute for plague or misfortune.
During the Heian period (794-1185), when aristocratic culture flourished, the magical purpose of these dolls gradually faded away, and aristocratic girls began to use them as playthings, and the tradition has been carried on for a thousand years until the 21st century.
In Japan, March 3 is the much-loved "Hinamatsuri," a day to celebrate the birth and growth of children, and Kyo dolls are often displayed.

Craftsman Story

Craftsman Profile

Koji Hashimoto / Hashimoto Doll Store
Hashimoto Doll Store is a doll-making company that has been in business in Kyoto since 1751. He determined to take over his family's Kyoto doll store from an early age. He started making dolls at the age of 23, and has continued to preserve the beauty of yushoku, a craft that has been refined over 300 years and passed down from generation to generation. He has also been practicing calligraphy since childhood, and is said to be a professional-level calligrapher.

Craftsman Passion

"Quality Crafts are made from Quality Materials"
We make Kyo dolls, which are considered the culmination of traditional crafts, with great attention to detail, from the materials used to the finished product. We want people overseas to know what dolls are not only as products but also the culture behind them!

Achievement

Designated as a traditional craftsman in 2017

 

Your Contribution to Craftsman

Customer Voice

Due to the market structure (link for full articles are attached bottom), craftsman have not known who the customer is and how customer reacts to their work. We made a “Message to Craftsman” box at purchase page. We will deliver all message to every craftsman. Our review will be also shared to craftsman so please leave your comment and evaluation on review section!

Income for Craftsman: Craftsman get only less than 10% of selling price?

As written above, craftsman have not controlled last phase of sales channel that resulting in selling price is set by third-party without craftsman’s recognition. There are some cases that only less than 10% of selling price is given to craftsman. We promise with our customer / craftsman that we offer the fair trade with craftsmen in our contract!

We made an article about above problem and our challenge. Please have a read from below link.
Current state of the Crafts Market / Benefits brought by Suigenkyo

Measurement

Width : 19.5cm
Height : 15.5cm
Depth : 19.5cm
Weight : 214g

Material & Caution

Materials

Silk
Wood

Caution

Individual Difference

Each piece is handmade, so there are individual differences even in the same series. We hope that you will understand the change by handmade.

Delivery Date

Please note that it will take about a month for delivery if we do not have the item in stock.

Manufacturing Process

We have not uploaded this craftsman’s video yet, please discover another craftsman’s video from the below link.

YouTube