Originally published on metropolis.co.jp on February 2010

There’s no point having your own museum if you can’t use it to occasionally blow the family trumpet. That’s part of the story behind Hina Dolls of the Mitsui Family at the Mitsui Memorial Museum, showing the ornamental dolls once owned by the daughters of the powerful plutocrats. Japan has always had a strong doll culture–think dogu, haniwa, kokeshi, and more recent otaku-friendly figures–but hina dolls, placed on tiers and representing the imperial family and attendants, have always been the most visually pleasing. Originally based on simple straw dolls designed to absorb bad luck–scapegoat style–and then be thrown away, hina have evolved into mini paragons of craftsmanship and elegance that still serve their original function of protecting the daughters of the family from misfortune, especially around the time of the Hina festival (March 3). This collection is rightly considered one of the best in Japan.

Mitsui Memorial Museum
Hina Dolls of the Mitsui Family. Until Apr 4, free (MS and under)/¥500 (HS, univ)/¥800 (70 and over)/¥1,000 (adult). 7F Mitsui Main Bldg, 2-1-1 Nihombashi-Muromachi, Chuo-ku. Tel: 03-5777-8600. Open Tue-Sun 10am-5pm, closed Mon. Nearest stn: Mitsukoshi-mae. www.mitsui-museum.jp