Life-size chrysanthemum dolls, Kiku-ningyo, were first created in Tokyo in 1804. Clothed in living chrysanthemum plants, each doll is a unique creation that will only last up to 2 weeks. They are created by highly skilled specialists, who spend years learning their craft. Creating a chrysanthemum doll requires tremendous expertise, time, and patience. There are very few individuals who still possess the knowledge to carry on this centuries-old tradition.
Creating Chrysanthemum DollsThousands of chrysanthemum plants are grown in outdoor nursery fields. Chrysanthemum dolls require plants with small flowers and long flexible stems.
The doll is first designed by the design artist.
Using this design, the Ningyo-shi, or doll frame specialist, builds a simple wood frame for the body. He also creates the head, hands and feet for the doll.
The Kiku-shi, or chrysanthemum doll specialist uses strips of bamboo wrapped with rice grass to create the body form. This process is call Dogara-maki and it is the most important step in the creation of the doll.
After digging chrysanthemum plants from the field, the plants are prepared by removing the soil and carefully wrapping the roots in moist sphagnum moss and removing excess foliage. This process is called Nemaki.
The plants are then inserted into the frames and the flowers are precisely positioned and tied in place. One doll needs between 100 and 150 wrapped chrysanthemum plants.
The head, hands, and feet are attached, and sleeves or collars made from cloth are added last.
Under favorable conditions, flowers will last from 10 days to 2 weeks.
The Longwood ExhibitTitle: The Gracefulness of Court Noble Women
This display features the beauty of historic court life of the 9th century. At this time the lives of the nobility became very elegant. The chrysanthemums on these figures are arranged to depict two noble women dressed in elaborated twelve-layered kimonos called Juunihitoe. The kimono designs originated in China and were arranged in the Japanese style. The homes of the courtiers were palatial in the Shinden style. Poetry, string instruments, dance, and calligraphy were featured in their education and leisure.
Artisans from JapanThe following individuals traveled from Hirakata Park in Osaka City, Japan, to create this display.
Tadashi Ohnishi (set designer)
Akira Kimura (artist)
Sadao Hirano and Fukashi Kato (Kiku-shi, chrysanthemum doll experts)
Takashi Yamamoto (horticulturist)
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Edited by yurippe_watanabe - 24/1/2005, 18:49
