Minister of the Left Doll
Artifact IDMO 63.4843.15
Object Type
Doll
Gifter
Tsuyako Matsumoto
Maker
unknown
Place MadeJapan, Asia
Medium
Wood, silk
Dimensions5 1/2 x 6 in.
Doll, hat, staff, arrows, stand
Doll, hat, staff, arrows, stand
Physical DescriptionJapanese male minister doll (a) in seated position with wood composition face and wood hands. He has white hair and a long white beard and mustache. Doll is wearing a multicolored blue and gold brocade costume; removable tall black hat (c) on head. Sits on black lacquered rectangular wood base (b). Holds bow (d) in proper right hand, arrows (e) in other, sword (f) by knee, quiver with arrows (g) on back. Part of set of 15 dolls used on Hina Matsuri (Girls' Day) 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.
The two minister dolls represent the emperor's administrators or bodyguards. The older Minister of the Left always occupies the position of stage left (or viewer's right) on the altar's fourth tier, with the more youthful Minister of the Right placed on the opposite side.
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.
The two minister dolls represent the emperor's administrators or bodyguards. The older Minister of the Left always occupies the position of stage left (or viewer's right) on the altar's fourth tier, with the more youthful Minister of the Right placed on the opposite side.
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
