Artist
Arai Doll Shop
About
A traditional Japanese craft that wards off evil and brings good fortune.
Iwatsuki Ward in Saitama City is renowned as the “Town of Dolls” and is a well-known center of doll production. The Edo Kimekomi Dolls made here are designated as Traditional Crafts by the Japanese government. Because this crafting technique requires highly advanced traditional skills, it takes many years to master.
Since 1975, the Association for the Promotion of Traditional Craft Industries has conducted the Traditional Craftsman Certification Exam, recognizing individuals with especially advanced skills as certified traditional artisans. The artist Hisao Arai was also certified as a traditional craftsman in 1996.
The crafting method of Edo Kimekomi Dolls does not involve dressing the doll in sewn garments. Instead, the body is carefully refined after being removed from the mold, grooves are carved into the surface, and cloth is inserted into these grooves (kimekomi) to give the appearance of wearing a kimono.
The dolls feature stylized forms that reflect the individuality of the artisan, and their greatest characteristic is that they do not lose their shape.
Arai Doll Shop
Artisan
Japanese dolls are not only displayed for appreciation—as objects of beauty, cuteness, or comfort—but also hold a unique place in Japanese culture as engimono (auspicious items). They are believed to ward off evil, bring good fortune, and grant wishes.