It is quite common to hear nowadays that kids are spoilt and overindulged. Things were certainly different in the past -- or were they?
"Customs of Beauties Around the Clock: Hour of the Rat" by Utamaro Kitagawa, 18th century
"Gosho-Ningyo (Dolls Playing Horsey)," artist unkown, 19th centuryTokyo National Museum, Kyoto National Museum photo
An exhibition titled "Wonder and Joy -- Children in Japanese Art" at the Tokyo National Museum suggests that, although there was less consciousness of childhood as a separate state in previous ages, youngsters have always occupied a special place in Japanese hearts.