Specially commissioned Doll          Miyako Odori

1888      Donated by the Sakata Chuo Senior High School Alumni Association (Formerly owned by the Shirasaki family)

This is a set of Miyako Odori dolls, five of which are playing music, and six of which are dancing. It was crafted in 1888 by Heizō Ōki III (1834–1895), a famous master doll-maker.

Miyako Odori dances have been performed ever since the imperial court was established in Kyoto; whenever celebrations were held at the imperial palace, the citizens of Kyoto would carry cherry blossoms and tachibana (a native Japanese citrus), or wear them in their hair, and dance for good fortune.