Kaga Ningyo - 洋娃娃 Douji Child Firefighter - 1950-1960 - 日本

This is a figure made of paulownia pulp, depicting a young boy engaged in martial arts while holding a lion's head or a traditional ceremonial object. These figures are displayed in tokonoma (alcoves) or entrances to celebrate the birth of a boy and wish for his healthy growth. They are also sometimes used as commemorative gifts for events such as retirement. Along with other local toys like Kaga lion heads and Kaga Hachiman tumblers, this figure is considered a rare traditional craft of Ishikawa Prefecture(Northwest Japan), with its production centered in Kanazawa City, Ishikawa.

History: The tradition of these figures traces back to the 5th lord of the Kaga domain, Maeda Tsunanori, who invited doll craftsmen from Kyoto. These figures are descendants of the imperial dolls from that period. The characteristic forms of the Kaga dolls, such as those holding lion's heads and ceremonial objects, were established during the Taisho era. In the Showa era, the first generation of Kōzan, Ohashi Jizaburo, is credited with popularizing Kaga dolls as craft items. However, it was during the era of his son, Ohashi Kazunari (the second generation Kōzan), that they began to be sold as commercial products. The peak period for Kaga dolls was in the 1950s and 1960s, with as many as 50 artisans making them at one time. By May 2009, the number had dwindled to just six.

Production Process: Paulownia sawdust is mixed with flour paste to make clay. This clay is packed into wooden molds, and the molded items are then dried. A white pigment called gofun is dissolved in animal glue and repeatedly applied to the dried molded items to create a base. The base is then polished, and cuts are made to define the figure’s expression. The face is painted with colors, and features like hairstyles and traditional Kaga Yuzen kimonos are added. Finally, the figure is finished with accessories such as a lion's head or ceremonial objects.

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