Japanese Dolls exhibition will take place at the First President Museum in Astana from May 21st, Tengrinews.kz reports citing the museum administration.
Japanese Dolls exhibition will take place at the First President Museum in Astana from May 21st, Tengrinews.kz reports citing the museum administration.
Nipponophiles or just everyone who is curious about the culture of the samurai country is welcome to visit the exhibition that features traditional Japanese dolls. The exhibition opens at 5 pm on May 21st. The exhibition is supported by the Japanese Embassy in Kazakhstan and the international project called Dialogue Through Culture.
Japanese ningyo or dolls are inseparable from the celebrations such as the doll festival Hinamatsuri and children’s day Kodomo no Hi. Each province has a distinct style of handcrafting of its traditional dolls. The history of doll making can be traced back to the ancient Jōmon culture in Japan (8000-200 BC). In 1936, doll making was recognized as an art form in Japan.
There is a great variety of dolls that represent different values and meanings. For instance, take the round wooden Daruma doll, it stands for good luck and fortune. Teru teru bozu are made from white paper or cloth and hang on window to bring good weather. Exquisite hina dolls are made for Hinamatsuri festival. A full set comprises at least 15 dolls that represent specific characters, with various accessories. The basic set is a male-female pair, often referred to as the Emperor and Empress. On May 5th, families display giant Koinobori (carp kites) and wish for their children to be as determined and strong as carps.
Japanese Dolls will open the wonderful world of the ancient Japanese culture. Visitors will have an opportunity to experience one of the oldest art of doll making. The exhibition will last till May 30th. The First President Museum is located at #11 Beibitshilik Str.
Writing by Guyzel Kamalova