Celebratory Display for Boys

Yusoku Gogatsu Ningyo Doll

Oyoroi

Three-tiers

OyoroiThree-tiers
Price:

¥895,600
Size:
- Width120cm
- Depth160cm
- Height167cm

Prices shown here are those of our stores in Japan.
Please check our inventory before placing an order.

Tango-no-Sekku Festival and Gogatsu Ningyo Doll

In Japan, the traditional Tango-no-Sekku Festival is held on May 5th to wish for boys’ healthy growth. Families with boys celebrate this day by displaying the Gogatsu Ningyo (doll warrior) display consisting of armor, helmet, sword and bow/arrows reproduced as art objects, which were once worn by brave warriors. This tradition originated in a ritual using sweet calamus held at the Imperial Court during the Heian Period more than 1200 years ago to ward off evil spirits. The nobility of those days believed that the sweet calamus had such strong power because it was among the first to sprout in early spring. Later in the feudal era, this ritual evolved into a ceremony to pray for boys’ fortune and success in wars, and then gradually spread among the common people as a festival for children. The most representative Gogatsu Ningyo doll display today consists of three-tiers, in addition to various other styles.

What is Yusoku?

In the Imperial Court of the Heian Period, precise protocol was stipulated in minute detail regarding every event and ceremony concerning costume, furniture, utensils, drinking and dinning etc. As it was regarded as extremely embarrassing to fail to observe these rules, the nobility of those days documented them in every detail and handed them down from generation to generation. Such records became the source for the traditional culture of Kyoto, and are called ‘yusoku’, literally meaning ‘possessing knowledge’. Gogatsu Ningyo dolls ‘born’ in Kyoto have been crafted based on such knowledge and are therefore called Yusoku Gogatsu Ningyo dolls and have acquired an outstanding reputation.

Kabuto (helmet)

A helmet with neck plates, finished with the exquisite traditional craftsmanship of Kyoto.

Osode (shoulder plates)

An elaborate design and gorgeous colors are demonstrated particularly in these parts of the armor.

Suneate (shin guards)

Use of carefully selected materials and meticulous care regarding details create elegance and presence.

Haitate (upper leg plates)

Nishijin gold-brocade, a renowned traditional silk textile of Kyoto, is used for these protective pieces.

Masterpieces with Traditional Beauty and Skill

Hinoki-kabuto

Hinoki-kabuto
Price:

¥4,370,000
Size:
- Width160cm
- Depth70cm
- Height108cm

Prices shown here are those of our stores in Japan.
Please check our inventory before placing an order.

Hinoki-kabuto (the Japanese cypress helmet)

The hinoki-kabuto was said to be created based on the shobu-kabuto (sweet calamus helmet) used at the Imperial Court during the Heian Period. Today it is highly valued particularly as a piece of art among Yusoku Gogatsu Ningyo doll displays, and is made of thin strips of the finest cypress decorated with beautiful ornamental irises and red and white flowers on top. Only a limited number are produced by combining traditional craftsmanship and faithfully observing historical facts and authenticity.