Imperial Dolls Representing Deities

Shōhō era (1644–1648) Donated by Saitō Shōji

Said to represent a pair of deities, these dolls are thought to be a precursor to the later Jirozaemon dolls. The round face and elegant air are typical of the Jirozaemon dolls, but their lack of hair and limbs is more characteristic of the older styles of standing dolls. Female dolls are usually smaller than male dolls, but these imperial dolls are unusual in that this convention is reversed.