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The traveling exhibition NINGYŌ: Art and Beauty of Japanese Doll has been produced afresh in spring 2020 by The Japan Foundation Headquarters, Tokyo. The Japanese word for “doll,” NINGYŌ, which literally means “human shape,” points out the origin of a long tradition of dolls in Japan. The doll culture that has flourished over the long history of Japan will be introduced in this exhibition through over 70 dolls, divided into 5 sections: “Ningyō to pray for children’s growth,” “Ningyō as fine art,” “Ningyō as folk art,” “Spread of Ningyō culture,” and “Ningyō and performing arts.”

Japanese doll culture could be characterized by its diversity of dolls and their delicate craftsmanship, backed by a deep love. This exhibition presents a comprehensive introduction to Japanese doll culture, from Katashiro and Amagatsu from ancient animistic tradition, 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 contemporary products, such as factory-mass-produced dress-up dolls like Licca-chan that are beloved in Japan today as doll toys and intricate anime-based figures that are highly regarded around the world.

The fact that dolls are an indispensable part of people’s daily lives is not limited to Japan, but you can find so many dolls in every household in Japan. The dolls are not only toys, but sometimes share spiritual functions, and can be one of the artworks to decorate homes, or memorabilia/souvenirs of family trips. People purchase the dolls, but also make them with their own hands. Doll making is a popular hobby in diverse styles and materials, enforcing the bond between the Japanese nation and its dolls.

Admission: FREE

Gallery Hours: 11:30 AM to 1:30 PM • 2:30 PM to 4:30 PM