March 3rd is Peach Festival. On this day, which has traditionally been called ``Joshi no Sekku,'' Hina dolls are displayed to pray for the growth of girls. In addition, majestic armor decorations appear during the Boy's Festival on May 3th. The craftsmen in Kyoto who oversee the production of these Hina dolls and armor are called ``doll makers'', and the Hina dolls and armor they made have been known since ancient times as ``Kyobina'' and ``Kyokatchu.'' It has been considered the best ever since. There are several small workshops in Kyoto that are involved in making Kyoto Hina dolls and Kyoto armor, and the delicate handiwork has been passed down from generation to generation. One day in early spring, I visited such a small workshop.
Higashiyama Sanjo Tanaka doll
Skills handed down from one child to another over 19 generations
``Higashiyama Sanjo Tanaka Ningyo'' is known as a representative workshop that produces ``Kyoto Hina dolls'' and ``Kyoto armor.'' It is said that the first generation was already involved in the production in 1573, and since then it is a long-established shop that has passed on the traditional techniques of ``one child inheritance'' for 19 generations. The company employs a number of traditional craftsmen and craftsmen, including the current Mr. Mitsuyoshi Tanaka, who is certified as a traditional craftsman, and while they continue to produce at their workshop in Higashiyama Sanjo, they also sell to the general public at their stores.
Magnificent. Such words are appropriate for the interior of Higashiyama Sanjo Tanaka Doll, which faces Higashioji Street. Three sets of gorgeous seven-tiered decorations, countless imperial decorations surrounding them, and the elegant smiles of the dolls... At the store, where even the atmosphere seems to have been tinted with a hint of pink, I spoke to Mr. Tanaka, the 3th generation doll maker, who holds the title of ``Mitsuyoshi Heian.''
A luxurious seven-tiered decoration that brightens up the Higashiyama Sanjo Tanaka Ningyo store. In Kyoto's Hina dolls, the female doll is on the left when facing the court, in accordance with the custom of the imperial court.
Faithfully reproduces court rituals and precedents, including costumes and tools.
``Among Hina dolls, those called ``Yushoku Hina'' faithfully reproduce court rituals and precedents, from costumes such as sokutai and junihitoe to the decoration of tools. The color of the costume worn during the ceremony is a dark reddish yellow called ``Korozen'', which is a ``absolutely prohibited color'' that only the emperor is allowed to wear. The male Hina dolls are dressed in yellow-dyed costumes woven in Nishijin.
At ``Higashiyama Sanjo Tanaka Dolls,'' the dolls are made using the best Nishijin-ori fabric in accordance with the ancient method. For example, the twelve hite dolls. Since the hem is the same length as the actual junihitoe, the back of the seated Hina doll has a surprisingly long hem. There are also rules regarding what the three court ladies should bring and the order in which they line up, all of which are based on the customs of the imperial court.
The standing dolls named ``Imperial Palace Hina'' were created by the current generation. Everything from the construction of the torso to the costume uses special techniques used for standing figures, creating an appearance that looks as if it is about to start walking toward you. The color of the male doll's costume is ``yellow oak'', which is an absolutely prohibited color.
The ``doll maker'' is in charge of the division of labor such as ``hairdresser'' and ``hand and foot maker''.
``Higashiyama Sanjo Tanaka Doll'' has a workshop diagonally across Higashioji Street from the store. The workshop gets busy after Obon, when work for the following year's Doll's Festival is in full swing. The production of Kyoto Hina is a complete division of labor. Each person has their own skilled skills, including the ``Kashirashi'' who creates the face, the ``Kairatsushi'' who places the hair on the head and arranges it into an ancient hairstyle, and the ``Jiboshishi'' who carves the paulownia wood into the hands and feet. Craftsmen set up their own workshops and create their products through wonderful teamwork. At the center of this is the ``doll maker,'' also known as the ``dresser.'' He is like a puppet producer, selecting the colors and patterns for the costumes, cutting them, sewing them, and giving instructions to each craftsman. The parts completed by each craftsman are gathered together by the ``doll maker,'' who attaches the limbs to the torso, and finally puts on the costume.
``Doll makers are all about the craftsmen who create the items with great care, so I would like to cherish the history and culture of handicrafts that continue in Kyoto forever.''
The expression on Mr. Tanaka's face as he holds the Kyoto doll that has been brought to life is extremely gentle.
By carefully pasting washi paper to the back of the cloth that will become the costume, a ``waist'' is created in the cloth, and the costume will have tension when worn. The reason why Kyoto dolls are considered to be the best is because of this extra effort.
The process of doll hands. The fingers are shaped by applying chalk over and over again to a thin wire, and by adding detailed workmanship, the delicate expression of the fingertips is created. The meticulous work continues down to the bending of a single finger.
Higashiyama Sanjo Tanaka doll
528 Higashimonzenmachi, Higashioji-dori Niomongeru, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto City
Hakakan Shoten
The costumes for the Hina dolls are made from Nishijin-ori, a fabric synonymous with the finest textiles.
The dazzling, kaleidoscope-like costumes of the Hina dolls are mainly made of a fabric called ``Kinran'', which is woven with gold patterns using gold thread. This textile, named after the region in Kyoto where it is produced, is ``Nishijin Ori,'' which is synonymous with the finest textiles. Konkan Shoten is a long-established store in Muromachi that has been known as a manufacturer and wholesaler of gold brocade pure silk fabrics for over 270 years.
There is a senbon latticework window on the second floor facing the street. The storefront of ``Hokan Shoten'' retains the appearance of a typical Kyoto merchant house.
The noren curtains are dyed with the name of the store and are decorated with the characters ``Homare'' and a series of elegant senbon latticeworks. At first glance, the storefront of ``Homachi Shoten'' facing Muromachi Street looks like a modest Kyoto merchant's house, but once you step behind the noren and step between the stores, the atmosphere changes completely. Gold brocade fabric occupies a shelf on the wall. Although it is kept rolled up in a cylinder, colors such as red, yellow, purple, and green are about to overflow from the edges of the scroll.
The gold brocades piled up on the shelves are a veritable flood of color. Each piece, created through the painstaking efforts of generations, tells the story of Homare Shoten's history.
New color patterns are created every year to match the trends of that year.
“There may be about 1000 bottles on this shelf alone. Generations have continued to make them, and we also come up with over XNUMX new patterns and designs every year. Depending on the year, there are popular colors and patterns. We shouldn't rely solely on the colors and patterns invented by our ancestors."
As he spoke, the current wife, Masami Matsui, pulled out several pieces of gold brocade. She magnifies her fabric with a magnifying glass. Various colored threads are intricately woven, and the hue changes subtly depending on how they overlap, and the sparkle of the gold threads when caught in the light shines through.
Gold brocade is made of yarn-dyed yarn of many colors and gold thread that overlap to create a beautiful expression.
An exhibition showing fabric samples for next year's Hina dolls. It is held in mid-February every year.
"For Hina dolls, the costumes are small, so unless you use more precisely woven gold brocade, the sparkle and shine will be cut in half. I am very happy when I see Hina dolls dressed in our gold brocade."
Homakan Shoten's gold brocade is widely used in costumes for Hina dolls, Noh costumes, and Buddhist robes, but in recent years, in addition to these traditional uses, it has been developed into a variety of goods such as scarves and Japanese-style bags. , produced by the current couple themselves. While carefully protecting the family business that has continued unabated, he also takes on new challenges. Kyoto's traditional crafts are supported and developed through these efforts.
In addition to traditional uses, they also produce products that are not bound by tradition, such as kainokuchi and scarves under the Mayun brand. The photo shows a fountain pen pen case made in collaboration with pencil case artist Yurie.
53 Reizeicho, Muromachi-dori Nijo-kamiru, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto Prefecture
Reservations required when visiting the store
Kyoto Armor Workshop Takehisa
The hands of an 81-year-old armorer keep moving without rest.
Around the time of Doll's Festival, the workshops of the armor makers who make Kyoto armor are at a peak in the production of armor and helmets for the Boys' Festival, which will be held in two months. One such workshop is ``Kyo Armor Workshop Takehisa''. Three generations are involved in the production of armor, including father and son Takeo Saji and Mikio, who both hold the title of traditional craftsman, and recently their grandson has joined them.
Takeo Saji continues his work silently. The name ``Kobo Takehisa'' comes from the name of Mr. Takeo's father, Mr. Hisasaburo Saji, the first armorer.
Takeo is currently 81 years old, having inherited the techniques from his father, who was the first generation armorer. In the workshop, a work was being carried out to attach a covering from the back of the head to the nape of the neck, called a ``shikoro,'' to the main body of the iron helmet.
``I'm already old, so I can't move my hands the way I want,'' he humbly says, but his left and right hands move smoothly, and the brightly colored tines are attached to them. He skillfully manipulated the tools, and when the ``飣'' was attached to the main body without any gaps, he was able to create a gorgeous helmet.
Attach a ``飣'' decorated with braided cord to a ``pot.'' The gold studs attached to the bowls are also individually hammered in by hand.
A single helmet is finally completed after assembling hundreds of parts.
A single helmet is made up of hundreds of parts, including metal fittings and studs, which are assembled to create the finished product. Just like Hina dolls, each individual part is made in a specialized workshop, and assembled at the workshop Takehisa. Also, detailed work such as filing metal fittings is carried out every day at the ``Kobo Takehisa.''
``In the past, there were about 20 workshops that made parts, but now there are only about ten. The crystal is the helmet.”
A bundle of string and tassels delivered by a specialized craftsman called a ``fusashi.'' These brightly colored braids add color to the helmet.
The two braids on the left and right are tied together beautifully in the front. Almost the final stage of work on one helmet. In Takeo's hands, this work can be completed in a flash.
358 Wakamatsucho, Rokkencho-dori Ichijou, Kamigyo-ku, Kyoto City
``Kyoto's traditional crafts are supported by the skills of craftsmen in small workshops.'' Puppet maker and armor maker. The same words were unexpectedly heard from two people working on Kyoto dolls in the final stage. Gorgeous Hina dolls and magnificent armor. These beautiful traditional crafts from Kyoto can be said to be the culmination of the skills of many craftsmen.
A small workshop located in the back alley of Kyoto. There, the steady handiwork continues without a break even today.
Photography by Makoto Itoh
Premium Japan Members invitation to
In addition to informing you of the latest information via newsletter, we also plan to inform you of exclusive events and give away special gifts.
