Discover More of Saitama! ④ Hand-Crafted Dolls and Hands-On Workshops in Iwatsuki
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Iwatsuki is famous for its traditional Japanese dolls, made by trained craftsmen, or by visiting travelers!
The Iwatsuki area of Saitama prefecture is known as the top doll manufacturing area in Japan, but this doll making is an age-old local tradition. The history of hand-crafted traditional Japanese dolls made in Iwatsuki goes back hundreds of years, and it's said that the craftsmen were originally involved in the construction of the Nikko Toshogu Shrine at the beginning of the Edo period (1603-1868). Thanks to Iwatsuki's location on the road between the shrine and the Edo capital, many of the artisans settled down there after their work on the famous shrine finished, and began using their deft skills to make traditional Japanese dolls (or "ningyo," 人形) instead―a practice now passed on through the generations in Iwatsuki.
Hina-Ningyo Doll-Making Workshop
Plenty of experts still live in Iwatsuki and produce beautiful traditional dolls, particularly the "hina-ningyo" (雛人形) dolls displayed in homes around Japan during Hinamatsuri, also known as Girls' Day. The dolls are set out in hopes of bringing good luck and health (and traditionally a happy marriage) to the girls of the house. If you head to Doll Factory Sora, you can try making one for yourself!
Before you start putting together your little doll, which is dressed to look like a Japanese princess in ancient courtly robes, a skilled artisan first creates the basic block that becomes the doll's body. Workshop goers can then take small scraps of lovely Japanese fabric and tuck them into grooves on the doll base to create the outer layer, before carefully adding the all-important head with a little guidance from the workshop leaders.
Your own little handmade doll might not be quite as perfect as the ones produced by hina-ningyo pros, but the whole hands-on process isn't too difficult, and you end up with a cute little traditional princess doll! And most importantly, you'll never find another doll quite like it anywhere else in the world―each person adds a little bit of unique personality to the doll they make.
Doll Factory Sora (人形工場 空)
5078-2 Iwatsuki, Iwatsuki Ward, Saitama
Official Website (jp)
Iwatsuki Ningyo Doll Museum
If you love to see carefully crafted traditional dolls and want to learn more about them, the mission of the Iwatsuki Ningyo Museum is to deepen visitors' understanding of Iwatsuki's ningyo dolls, and all the culture that surrounds them.
Opened in just February 2020, this facility is said to be Japan's first doll museum, and the displays go over everything to do with traditional doll-making in Japan, and Iwatsuki especially. Not only can you see a huge collection of finished dolls, but you can also learn about the artisan techniques used to make them, and the history of the craft in Iwatsuki, which has become the center of traditional doll-making in Japan.
Explore the unique tools honed just for this unusual craft, the materials used to make each doll, and the way it all comes together to become a traditional masterpiece! (Visiting the museum after the workshop, all of us on the Japankuru team couldn't help but compare our dolls to the professional creations on display, and let's just say… we could see the difference made by years of practice and skill. But ours had some nice personal touches!)
Iwatsuki Ningyo Museum (岩槻人形博物館)
6-1-1 Honcho, Iwatsuki Ward, Saitama
Official Website (en)
Love the beauty of Japanese handicrafts? Interested in the history of artisans in Japan? Like getting hands-on with Japanese traditions? Then don't miss the chance to experience all that with the dolls of Iwatsuki, Saitama!
For more info and updates from Japan, check Japankuru for new articles, and don't forget to follow us on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook!
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NAME:Iwatsuki, Saitama
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KYUSHU
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Located in the most southwestern part of Japan, Kyushu (九州) is an island of 7 prefectures: Fukuoka, Saga, Nagasaki, Kumamoto, Oita, Miyazaki, and Kagoshima. The island's unique culture has been influenced by Chinese and Dutch trade, along with missionaries coming in through Nagasaki's port. Modern-day travelers love the lush natural scenery and fresh food, plus the natural hot springs found all throughout the area (thanks to volcanic activity)!
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FUKUOKA
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Fukuoka Prefecture has the highest population on the southern island of Kyushu, with two major cities: Fukuoka and Kitakyushu. Thanks to growing transportation networks, Fukuoka is more accessible than ever, and so are the many local attractions. On top of historical spots like Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine, travelers shouldn't miss Fukuoka's food scene, with motsu nabe (offal hotpot), mentaiko (spicy cod roe), and famous Hakata ramen―best eaten from a food stall in the Nakasu area of Hakata. Plus, it's full of all sorts of destinations for travelers, like trendy shopping centers, and the beautiful nature of Itoshima and Yanagawa.
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KAGOSHIMA
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Kagoshima Prefecture played a major role in Japan's modernization as a backdrop for famous historical figures like samurais Saigo Takamori and Okubo Toshimichi, who pushed Japan out of the Edo era and into the Meiji. Because of that, Sengan-en Garden is just one of many historical destinations, and when it comes to attractions Kagoshima has plenty: the active volcano of Sakurajima, popular hot springs Ibusuki Onsen and Kirishima Onsen, World Heritage Site Yakushima Island, even what Japan calls the "island closest to heaven," Amami Oshima. Kagoshima might be found on the very southernmost tip of the southern island of Kyushu, but there's plenty to see.
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OKINAWA
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The island chain of Okinawa (沖縄) makes up the southernmost tip of Japan, which is why it's also the most tropical area in the country. Thanks to a history of independence and totally distinct political and cultural events, Okinawa has a unique culture, and remnants of the Ryukyu Kingdom are still visible all over the islands. Food, language, traditional dress, it's all a little different! It's also said to be the birthplace of karate.
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