More than 200 Japanese dolls, mainly Kimekomi dolls, are being
showcased at the Vietnamese Women’s Museum in Hanoi as part of
activities to celebrate the Japan-Vietnam Friendship Year 2013 and
International Women’s Day.
The March 6-31
exhibition is jointly organised by the Vietnamese Women’s Museum and the
Japan Foundation Center for Cultural Exchange in Vietnam , in
cooperation with the Japanese Embassy in Vietnam , and the
Traditional Edo-kimekomi Dolls Saciei-kai and Kimono Cultural Exchange
Associations.
Kimekomi dolls, which are made of willow-wood and
decorated with cloth scraps, were first made in the Japanese ancient
capital of Kyoto in the 17 th century. The hand-made dolls are
believed to drive away devils and diseases while protecting old people
and children.
Meanwhile, the Japan Foundation
Center for Cultural Exchange presents a collection of around 40
selected Japanese dolls, including female dolls dressed in kimonos,
dolls depicting characters from traditional Japanese performing arts
like Noh and Kabuki, Hakata dolls or clay dolls, and Kokeshi dolls with
their unique character.
“Dolls” have been a part of
everyday life in Japan since the ancient time. They reflect the
customs of Japan and the aspirations of its people, possess
distinctive regional attitudes, and over the centuries have developed in
many diverse forms.
Japanese dolls now can be
categorised in many ways according to the techniques and material used
to create them, as well as the themes and shapes of the dolls.-VNA