Production of Kaguyabina in full swing (in Kamigori town, Hyogo Prefecture)
In Kamigori town, Hyogo Prefecture, the production of Kaguyabina, a pair of paper dolls place inside a Hyogo-made bamboo container, is now in full swing ahead of Girls’ Day on March 3, the day for people in Japan to pray for the happiness and healthy growth of girls.
A pair of hand-crafted paper dolls in Kyoto-Yuzen patterned paper kimonos and artificial peach flowers are placed in the bamboo container of approximately 20 centimeters in height and 12 centimeters in diameter. It’s designed based on “Taketori Monogatari,” which a centuries-old Japanese fairy tale about a mysterious girl “Kaguya-hime” who was found as a baby inside a bamboo stalk.
Koji Matsui, a 79-year-old master and owner of a craft shop “Matsui Kogei” in Kamigori, and his two partners are now extremely busy making them, expecting to ship out approximately 1,500 units by April 3. (In some regions, people celebrate Hinamatsuri on March 3 of the Chinese calendar, which is April 3 in the lunar calendar.)
Kaguyabina is already popular among females of all ages for its easy handling. It costs JPY5,700 a piece, not including shipping fee. “I hope these hand-made dolls will help people to enjoy this happy seasonal event,” Matsui said.