How to Display My Japanese Dolls

Japanese dolls are often displayed.

Japanese dolls are beautiful and delicate works of art. There are several types of dolls that range from the traditional hinamatsuri, or girls day festival dolls, to figurine collectible dolls for daily display. While daily display dolls are shown at any time of the year, hinamatsuri dolls are only displayed for the festival and have specific items.

Things You'll Need

• Display space
• Display case (optional)
• Dolls

Instructions

Hinamatsuri Display

1. Obtain both the emperor and empress dolls. For hinamatsuri, it is traditional to have both the emperor and his bride. The other dolls are not a necessity, but add to the collection. The emperor and empress are always displayed above the other dolls as the first tier and are alone.

2. Place the ladies-in-waiting dolls below the emperor and empress. These dolls are traditionally placed near the empress to attend her needs and on the second tier.

3. Place musician dolls on the third tier. Musicians are the entertainers and are placed third for dolls.

4. Set the retainers and samurai dolls on the last tier of dolls. These are the lowest ranking dolls and are thus placed last. Furniture and similar pieces to the set are placed based on the specific set and items. Usually, wedding gifts are placed below the ladies in waiting and other items are placed throughout the set.

5. Put the dolls away at the end of March 3. Traditionally, hinamatsuri dolls are put away after the festival to symbolize good luck in marriage for a daughter.

Other Doll Displays

1. Determine whether to display the dolls together, such as in a case or on a specific space, or whether the display location preferred is around the room for accent.

2. Place the dolls according to size order or doll type. If displaying the dolls together, set larger dolls in the back and smaller in the front of the display. If displaying around the room, place dolls where they are seen, but not in the way such as on a book case.

3. Avoid placing dolls in locations where they might clash with other items.

References

• Agora Virtual Museum: Cultural Life During The Meiji Restoration
• My Progress News: Japanese Dolls Presentation
• My Japan Phone: Japanese Doll's Festival
• J-collector: Japanese Dolls