Musician (Gonin bayashi) Doll
Artifact IDMO 63.4843.7
Object Type
Doll
Date
1955-1965
Gifter
Tsuyako Matsumoto
Maker
unknown
Place MadeJapan, Asia
Medium
Wood, silk
Dimensions7 1/2 x 6 in.
doll, flute, stand
doll, flute, stand
Physical DescriptionJapanese male musician doll (a) in seated position with wood composition face and wood hands. Doll is wearing a multicolored red, green and gold brocade costume; has detachable black plastic hat. Holds a flute (c). Sits on black lacquered rectangular wood base (b). Part of a set of 15 dolls used on Hina Matsuri (Girls' Day Festival) altar that includes: Emperor, Empress, 3 Ladies in Waiting, 5 Musicians, and 2 Ministers. See MO 63.4843.1-15.
Historical NoteThe origins of the Hina Matsuri or Girls' Day festival in Japan are unclear, but records show that it was firmly established as an annual event by the early Edo period (1603-1868). Hina doll markets existed by the 1680s.
Placement of the dolls and their accessories on a Hina Matsuri altar is highly prescribed but can vary slightly based on family tradition, region, and the size of the set. The top tier of the altar always holds the dolls that represent the emperor and empress, known as "hina" or "dari-bina." Tiers below the imperial couple contain three court ladies, a group of five musicians, two high-ranking ministers, and court vassals.
The set in the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum is for a five tier altar. Dating to the 1950s, the dolls in this set were made in the Kanto region of Japan, characterized stylistically by eyes that are larger and more upwardly slanted. The heads are made of finely ground wood chips from paulownia trees mixed with glue. The eyes were similarly fashioned by mixing glue with clam shells that had been ground into powder.
Additional DetailsPlacement of the dolls and their accessories on a Hina Matsuri altar is highly prescribed but can vary slightly based on family tradition, region, and the size of the set. The top tier of the altar always holds the dolls that represent the emperor and empress, known as "hina" or "dari-bina." Tiers below the imperial couple contain three court ladies, a group of five musicians, two high-ranking ministers, and court vassals.
The set in the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum is for a five tier altar. Dating to the 1950s, the dolls in this set were made in the Kanto region of Japan, characterized stylistically by eyes that are larger and more upwardly slanted. The heads are made of finely ground wood chips from paulownia trees mixed with glue. The eyes were similarly fashioned by mixing glue with clam shells that had been ground into powder.
Credit LineJohn F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum, Boston, MA; Gift of the Estate of President John F. Kennedy
National Archives Catalog CollectionJohn F. Kennedy Library Museum Collection (National Archives Identifier 1676934)
National Archives Catalog SeriesGifts from Public (National Archives Identifier 1676966)
Use Restriction StatusUnrestrictedUse Restriction NoteReproduction or other use of these holdings or images thereof is unrestricted.In Collection(s)
Not on view
