Kokin Dolls

By Shūei, late Edo period (1603–1868)

Donated by Saitō Shōji

While most dolls found in areas along the Sea of Japan coast are Kyoto dolls, these particular ‘old and new’ dolls were made by an Edo craftsperson. They illustrate the refined tastes of Edo connoisseurs, along with a carefree approach to court and samurai rules of ceremony and etiquette.

The artist, Shōei, was an Edo doll-maker, and a pupil of Osaka master doll-maker Hara Shugetsu, who made the first Kokin dolls in 1770.