Hina Matsuri, Japan's annual girls day festival, became a particularly popular celebration during the Edo Period. As part of the festivities, girls are given a set of ornamental dolls, which are put on display from February through March 3 — a ritual believed to bring about good health for the girls. The dolls, which are sometimes made of materials as delicate as paper and clay, are believed to ward off evil and are usually kept within the family for generations.
The doll sets on display at the Zohiko Uruishi Museum are exceptionally preserved antique examples, and they include not only the dolls but also other paraphernalia, such as furniture and musical instruments; till April 2.
Zohiko Urushi Museum; (075) 752-7790; Zohiko Main Shop 2F, 10 Saishoji-cho, Okazaki, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto; Higashiyama Station, Tozai Line. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. ¥300. Closed Wed. (except March 20), March 21. www.zohiko.co.jp/museum/en.
