John Marshall:
works in fabric

Notes on Hina Dolls

Dolls have played a very important role in Japanese society since ancient times. Originally made of white strips of paper, sometimes a few leafs or twists of straw, they served to protect the owner from harm, absorbing any disease or ill fortune and thus helping to relieve the host of some of the fear that comes from dealing with the unknown forces of nature. These were kept close to the benefactor, sometimes being worn on the body, sometimes being kept in the family shrine. Often special prayers were written upon them giving them the function of both prescription and medicine. Periodically, these proxies would be purified by disposing of them through fire or water, allowing them to drift downstream carrying all accumulated evil with them out to the great expanses of the boundless oceans. These are the dolls that later evolved into the more modern day HINA.

Hina are a special class of Japanese dolls.Semi-religious in tradition, yet even in modern times much more than simply display pieces, and never a play item. Todays dolls represent a somewhat idealized court setting from the classic period. Most often set up in cascading hierarchy upon a set of stairs draped in scarlet yardage.

On the highest step rests a regal pair, a prince and princess in full court attire.

On the next step down we find the three ladies in waiting, wearing scarlet pantaloons, delicately poised with containers of refreshment. They represent purity and beauty.

On the third step we find the protectors of the court: a young warrior in his virile prime; and an older warrior with his years of experience and wisdom. As wisdom combined with youth they make a formidable pair.

On the fourth step we find the lively musicians, three drummers, a flute player, and the singer as indicated in holding a fan. Combined they serve to represent the lighter side of life in all its gaiety.

On the fifth, but not final step, we encounter the three court vassals, each serving the needs of the court, one carrying shoes, one carrying and umbrella, and the other refreshment.

The steps may go on many more levels, decked out with exquisitely executed miniatures in furniture, utensils, and often even an ox cart.

Quite often supplemental treasures are to be found on the various levels represented: Standing lanterns, screens, and even an expertly wrought version of the Imperial Palace may be placed on the same level as the Imperial Pair, with representations of plum and mandarin orange trees, which are traditionally found gracing the palace gates, just below them. A sampling of rice sweets, mochi, is offered in the three shades of spring: pink, white, and green; along with sweet sake and water are also offered in delicate dishes and on graceful stands.

A NOTE ON MATERIALS USED IN CONSTRUCTION: Several materials were mentioned above, but in reality anything may be used to represent a Girls' Day pair. The "male" entity is usually represented by something large, or dark, or hard. The "female" entity is often represented by something small, or pale/bright/light, or soft/gentle (all relative to the "male"). Therefore a large rock couple with a small one will qualify as a complete set of Girls' Day dolls. So would a black brush coupled with a smaller red brush for a calligrapher, or winter whisk coupled with a summer whisk for a tea teacher, or for that matter, even a nut with a bolt will do.

However most modern day dolls are made from carved wood (or molded composition) over which is applied a layer of gofun . Gofun is a mixture of powdered sea shell and a gelatin. This is what gives the dolls such milky white porcelain like skin. Pigments may also be added to tint the complexion. The costumes are most often of woven silk, silk with paper, or in most recent times rayons and other synthetics. From the point of view of materials used in construction, the best quality dolls are those with glass eyes, silk garments, and gofun over wood or composition (many plastic faced dolls are currently on the market in Japan). It is, however, ultimately the beauty and warmth of each doll in the eyes of the collector that makes it a most valuable treasure.