Gosho doll
Gosho dolls were perfected as ornamental dolls during the mid-Edo period and are prestigious dolls that have been displayed on various celebratory occasions, such as auspicious events at the Imperial Court, childbirth, and weddings.
Their most defining characteristics are their three-head-tall proportions and their translucent white skin.
During the Edo period, they were known by various names such as "zudai-ningyo" (big-headed dolls) and "mitsu-wari-ningyo" (three-part dolls); however, because they were cherished by noble people such as those in the Imperial Court, the aristocracy, and monzeki temples, they came to be called "Gosho-ningyo" (Palace dolls) in the Meiji era.
Due to their origins and refined nature, Gosho dolls have long been considered the most prestigious and finest of all dolls.
With their plump figures reflecting the innocence of young children and their graceful expressions that appear adorable at times and dignified at others, Gosho dolls are representative of Japan.
Standing Hina dolls
Standing dolls (tate-bina) are said to date back as far as the Heian period.
The Ito family’s standing dolls are crafted by combining the same "wood-carving technique using paulownia wood" as seen in palace dolls (gosho-ningyo) with the "gofun (shell powder) relief and gold-leaf technique" using Japanese painting pigments.
The Ito family believes that the "wood-carving technique" is the best method for maintaining sufficient strength in the torso, while the "gofun relief and gold-leaf technique" is the best way to evoke the refined elegance unique to Kyoto.
The costumes are adorned with gorgeous and auspicious patterns such as "pine, wisteria, and pinks" or "cranes and tortoises," and the elegant facial features that accentuate these designs make for a truly impressive piece.
Currently, the production of standing dolls is being passed down from the present master, Hisashige, to Shogoro, and the works created through these inherited techniques range widely from traditional to modern styles, showcasing an ever-expanding appeal.
Gofun high-relief gold leaf decoration
Boxes and stands with patterns painted directly onto the bare wood from the Nara period have been preserved in large numbers in the Shosoin to this day; this tradition was subsequently passed down to the imperial court, where boxes, trays, and stands decorated with elegant patterns painted in gofun (shell powder), gold and silver pigment, and other colors were crafted and used as yusoku-style furnishings.
Building upon this foundation of yusoku-style tradition, the Ito family utilizes the meticulous gofun techniques of the Goshoningyo (palace dolls) that developed since the early modern period, as well as their experience in doll making, to create gofun takamori kinsai (raised gofun with gold leaf) works, including boxes, hagoita paddles, and mallets made from paulownia wood.
Gofun takamori kinsai possesses a Kyoto-esque splendor backed by solid technique, along with an air of highly refined elegance.
Costume doll representing a historical period
In the Ito family, whose primary business is the creation of Gosho dolls, the production of life-sized historical costume dolls began during the time of the ninth Hisashige.
At that time, when special public exhibitions were held at the Kyoto Imperial Palace, costumes associated with the Imperial Family were simply displayed hanging on clothing racks.
The Imperial Household Agency, thinking it would be magnificent if these were dressed on dolls for display, commissioned the Ito family to create life-sized dolls.
Subsequently, the tenth Hisashige engaged in research alongside leading experts in the study of historical customs, establishing the foundation for modern historical costume dolls.
These techniques have been passed down to the present Hisashige, and today, the dolls are exhibited at the Kyoto Imperial Palace, Nijo Castle, and various Monzeki temples associated with the Imperial Family.
Repository and restoration facility
Imperial Palace
Togu Palace
Akishino House
Hitachi House
Mikasa House
Takamado House
Kyoto Imperial Palace
Kyoto State Guest House
Kyoto National Museum
Kyoto Prefecture Library and Archives
National Museum of Japanese History
Nara National Research Institute for Cultural Properties, Asuka Historical Museum
Saiku Historical Museum
Kyoto University International Houses
Tokugawa Main Family (Tokugawa Memorial Foundation)
Hitotsubashi-Tokugawa Family (Ibaraki Prefectural Museum of History)
Satsuma-Shimazu Family (Shoko Shuseikan Museum)
Kaga-Maeda Family (Kanazawa Seisonkaku)
Hizen-Matsuura Family (Matsuura Historical Museum)
The Reizei Family Shigure-tei Library
Former Nijo-jo Palace
Kyoto City Zoo
Himeji Castle
Mito Museum
Miharu Town Historical and Folk Museum
Arai Sekisho History Museum
Hatasho Town History Museum
Kamon Kaikyo Museum
Kirioka Gakuen
Ogura Gakuen
Konoike Granary
Yokohama Doll Museum
Daishoji Monzeki
Hokyoji Monzeki
Donge-in Monzeki
Reikanji Monzeki
Rinkyuji Monzeki
Hokkaji Monzeki
Honzan Bukkoji
Tokyo Hongwanji
Nishiarai Daishi Soji-ji
Zenkoji Daihongan
Ishiyamadera
Kuramadera
Yanagidani Yokokuji
Eizan Shokyobo
Daiun-in
Ryukyo-in
Honshoji
Heian Jingu
Fushimi Kamuhara Shrine
Wara Tenmangu
Suwa Kaiko Shrine
Gion Matsuri Naginata-hoko
Gion Matsuri Tsuki-hoko
Gion Matsuri Kanko-hoko
Gion Matsuri Niwatori-hoko
Gion Matsuri Minami Kannon-yama
Ubagami Daijingu Togyo Festival
Matsumae Festival
Itako Festival
Tochigi Festival
Kawagoe Festival
Murakami Grand Festival
Takaoka Festival
Takayama Festival
Nagoya Festival
Tsushima Festival
Hachiman Festival
Otsu Festival
Kameoka Festival
Tenjin Festival
Yao Festival
Tanba Festival
High Museum of Art, Atlanta (USA)
The Huntington Library (USA)
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