Jirouzaemonbina Dolls

Hōreki era, 1751–1764

With their round faces and hooked noses, Jirouzaemonbina dolls were named for the dollmaker Hinaya Jirouzaemon, who first popularised this style of hina doll. Favoured by court nobles and samurai families, these dolls were seen as the epitome of dignity and grace. During the same period, it became popular to display hina dolls on a multi-tiered stand covered with red fabric, a style known as ‘dankazari.’

Female dolls did not traditionally wear crowns, but it is thought that the crown was added as the dolls were passed down through the generations. These dolls belonged to the family of Matsudaira Gonjuro, a retainer of the former Shonai domain.