Shimada Kouen Doll Atelier Vol.1

Principles for Crafting Gosho Ningyo

Gosho Ningyo, or Palace Dolls, embodies chubby little children and was initially supported
by the court nobles in Kyoto. Originally developed from Hitogata, man-shaped pieces of
paper that have been used at Shinto rituals since the Heian Period (794-1185AD), a Palace
Doll would carry people’s hopes for a child to become wise, healthy and wealthy.
The symbolic Gosho Ningyo Dolls are pale and chubby babies crawling and standing,
called Amagatsu and Houko. From ancient times, Japanese people would see the great
energy, love and hope for healthy growth in those baby dolls.

Mr. Shimada, the interviewee in the following article, is the fifth generation of Shimada
Kouen Doll Atelier which has over 160 years of history.
Having made the dolls for more than 40 years, he has been feeling growing gratitude to the
miracle causation, that he has been “called” to be born to the family business and to work
on what he is doing. He humbly crafts dolls everyday “with the people’s hopes embedded in
Hitogata” and with the passion to pass down authentic Japanese aesthetics through his
works.
“Reflecting ever-changing people’s of the era to the dolls.”
“Babies have something universal.”
His words teach us something intangible but important, behind the shapes and colours of
the dolls. What does Mr. Shimada mean by authentic Japanese aesthetics?

Please read the following article and discover.

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Shimada Kouen Doll Atelier 2- Craftsman Interview-

Shimada Kouen Doll Atelier