The sunshine is gradually growing warmer, and the season is beginning to feel like spring.
The annual “Nozaki Family Hina Doll Exhibition” is being held at Nozaki's Historical Residence, a nationally designated Important Cultural Property in the Kojima area of Kurashiki City.
Here’s a look at this splendid Hina doll exhibition, where you can experience the beauty of Japanese tradition in a historic setting.
The information presented here was accurate when this article was published in February 2024. Please note that it may differ from current information.
What is the “Nozaki Family Hina Doll Exhibition”?
The “Nozaki Family Hina Doll Exhibition” is being held through Sunday, April 7, 2024, at Nozaki's Historical Residence, a traditional house built by Nozaki Buzaemon, who made his fortune in the salt-making industry during the Edo period.
Around 200 precious items passed down through generations of the Nozaki family are on display, including:
- Antique Koki dolls from the Meiji period
- Emperor Meiji dolls
- Oshie dolls and Hina doll accessories
From Friday, February 23, to Sunday, March 10, the “Ohina Dosokai” will also be held at Taikado, a detached residence of Nozaki's Historical Residence. Hina dolls donated by local households will be displayed in its 100-tatami-mat great hall.
Only during the “Ohina Dosokai,” visitors can also enter Taikado with the same admission ticket used for Nozaki's Historical Residence.
I visited the “Nozaki Family Hina Doll Exhibition”
Enter Nozaki's Historical Residence through this impressive gate.
The estate covers about 3,000 tsubo, with nearly 1,000 tsubo of total floor space, and has a stately atmosphere.
I paid the admission fee at the reception desk and received an admission ticket and pamphlet.
The admission ticket features a photo of a Hina doll.
It makes a nice memento of visiting the Hina doll exhibition.
The main venue for the Hina doll exhibition is inside the Second Exhibition Hall at the end of the route. As I followed the path through the garden, I spotted Hina dolls displayed here and there in the rooms of the residence, making it fun to discover where they were.
▼These Hina dolls were on display in the central reception room.
I was amazed by the depth of the room behind them.
Nine rooms are connected in a row, with a total length of 42 meters.
I arrived at the Second Exhibition Hall, the main venue where the Hina dolls are displayed.
When I opened the door, I was captivated by the many lavishly decorated Hina dolls.
The Kyoho-bina dolls were especially striking, standing about 80 cm tall including their crowns. They were presented to the Nozaki family by the Ikeda family, who ruled the Okayama domain in the early Meiji period. Their distinctive feature is that when viewed from below, their faces appear to be smiling.
Hina dolls with distinctive appearances
Some of the Hina dolls have distinctive shapes and appearances.
There were antique Gosho-bayashi musicians and a dog doll that looked just like the real thing.
I enjoyed imagining when they might have been made.
Among the Hina doll accessories were many tiny items smaller than a fingertip.
I was impressed by the meticulous craftsmanship of artisans from long ago.
From the Writer
The faces and clothing of Hina dolls also reflect the trends and fashions of their respective eras.
- An imperial couple dressed in tuxedos, modeled after Emperor Showa
- A court lady accompanied by a dog
There was a fascinating variety of Hina dolls and accessories, each with its own appearance, and I was able to take my time admiring them one by one.
The Hina Festival is said to have originated in the Heian period, around 1,000 years ago.
It was a chance to feel the long and rich history of this traditional event, still cherished and loved by many today.
Nozaki Family Hina Doll Exhibition details
| Name | Nozaki Family Hina Doll Exhibition |
|---|---|
| Dates | Wednesday, January 31–Sunday, April 7, 2024 ※ The “Ohina Dosokai” will be held at Taikado, a detached residence of Nozaki's Historical Residence, from Friday, February 23, to Sunday, March 10. ※ Closed every Monday and Tuesday, February 13 ※ Open Monday, February 26, and Monday, March 4 |
| Location | 1-11-19 Ajino, Kojima, Kurashiki City, Okayama Prefecture |
| Admission (tax included) | Adults: 500 yen; elementary and junior high school students: 300 yen 20% discount for groups of 30 or more ※ Free for high school students and younger on Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays |
| Website | Nozaki's Historical Residence Official Website |
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