Evolution and Global Influence of Ningyo Culture

The Japanese exhibition titled “Ningyō: Art and Beauty of Japanese Dolls”, one of the interesting cultural activities for children organized by the Japan Foundation, Consulate-General of Japan in Chennai and ABK-AOTS Dosokai, Tamilnadu Centre supported by Government Museum, from 31 August to 22 September 2024 at Contemporary Art Gallery, Government Museum, Chennai.

September-October 2024 has been designated as 'Japan Month' to advance bilateral relations between India and Japan across multiple areas, including politics, security, economics and culture. This exhibition shall be an interesting part of this celebration. Consul-General Takahashi Muneo will Inaugurate the exhibition at 11:00am on 31 August (Sat).

This initiative under the title Ningyõ, which means “human shape” in Japanese, the doll culture that has been cultivated over the long history of Japan will be introduced through a total of 65 carefully selected dolls, divided into 4 sections:

Ningyō to pray for children’s growth

Doll culture in Japan developed out of rites to protect children against misfortune and to pray for their happiness. With time, the simple dolls used in those rites gradually became more ornate, giving rise to today’s typical style of Japanese dolls as seen in Hina Ningyō of the Hina Matsuri festival.

Ningyō as fine art

As production techniques for doll making evolved, dolls began to be loved as objects of art for display from around the 17th century. These dolls, made with sculpting techniques, delicate colors, and finely produced clothing, broke from the realm of toys to enter the domain of fine art

Ningyō as folk art

The well-honed skills and techniques of doll production were put to good use in the worlds of traditional performing arts and also toys. The reappraisal of dolls as art in modern times drove the emergence of many talented doll creators as works of art, and Japan’s doll culture further went on to give rise to the collector’s scale figures popular throughout the world today.

Spread of Ningyō culture

The well-honed skills and techniques of doll production were put to good use in the worlds of traditional performing arts and also toys. The reappraisal of dolls as art in modern times drove the emergence of many talented doll creators as works of art, and Japan’s doll culture further went on to give rise to the collector’s scale figures popular throughout the world today.

The fact that dolls are an indispensable part of people's daily lives is not limited to Japan. Still, the diversity of dolls and their delicate craftsmanship, backed by a deep love of dolls, could be said to be the characteristics of Japanese doll culture.

This exhibition presents a comprehensive introduction to Japanese doll culture, from Katashiro and Amagatsu, 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 dress-up dolls that are loved in Japan today as doll toys, and scale figures that are highly regarded around the world.