Kimekomi Dolls: Born in Kyoto, Developed in Edo

I never knew there were different types of Hina dolls.

Hina dolls are broadly divided into two types: Isho-gi-ningyo, which are dressed in costumes over a body made from a core of wood or straw, and Kimekomi-ningyo (Kimekomi dolls). Kimekomi dolls are made using a technique called 'kimekomi,' where fabric is tucked into grooves carved into a molded base. This base, called 'toso,' is made from a hardened mixture of paulownia sawdust and 'shofu-nori' (wheat starch paste). A key feature is that they are less prone to losing their shape because of the solid base, and the 'toso' can be molded into a wide variety of forms.

Their origins trace back to the Kamigamo Shrine in Kyoto during the Genbun era (1736-1741). Dolls carved from leftover pieces of wood used for festival tools, dressed in scraps of fabric from festival costumes, were cherished as Kamo-ningyo (Kamo dolls). This craft made its way to Edo, where the manufacturing process evolved to use molded 'toso' bodies for mass production. This became the Edo Kimekomi doll.

Has Kakinuma Dolls always been making dolls in Koshigaya, Saitama?

Kakinuma Dolls was founded in 1950. My grandfather, who was born into a family of woodworkers, became a doll maker after visiting a workshop in the post-war period and established his own business in Arakawa Ward, Tokyo. Our headquarters is still in Arakawa Ward, but about 40 years ago, we moved our production base to Koshigaya in search of a larger factory. It seems he chose Koshigaya to build relationships with artisans in an area close to Iwatsuki in Saitama Prefecture, which is famous for doll making.