Unique to Japan is the development of doll forms specifically for elaborate theatrical traditions. Most noted are the bunraku-ningyô puppets and the lesser known but intriguing karakuri-ningyô mechanical dolls for both theater and private entertainment.

The closest equivalent to Western dolls, te-asobi-ningyô include the triple-jointed mitsuore, the loveable and huggable daki-ningyô and the famous ichimatsu. We focus on the best and most noted artists in each of these distinctive categories.

Most Japanese dolls were created for display purposes, to celebrate popular culture, history. Swathed in silken textiles we find magical ishô-ningyô and the cherubic gosho-ningyô (palace dolls) as just two of the most noted styles.

Sosaku-ningyô (art dolls) stretch and challenge the basic forms and content of Japanese dolls. Celebrated doll artists of the early 20th Century created captivating and compelling forms that defied easy categorization, but are always delightful!