Arakawa's Artisans
Arakawa Ward Traditional Crafts Preservation Society
Artisanal Skills Still Passed Down Today in Arakawa
Artisanal Skills Still Passed Down Today in Arakawa
Clothes make the man
“Costume-dressing dolls” refer to a doll-making technique in which a designer conceives the doll’s design, commissions a head sculptor to create a head made of paulownia wood, selects fabric that matches the design, cuts and sews the costume, and then dresses the doll while adjusting the posture of its limbs to complete the piece. The production process involves over 100 steps, and through the careful repetition of each task, dolls such as Hina dolls and May dolls are created.
Production is carried out through a division of labor among artisans such as fabric specialists, head sculptors, hair stylists, and doll makers; this system is believed to have been established as early as the Edo period.
The Work of an Artisan
Construction Work- [Concept and Prototyping] The overall design of the doll is conceived; the master fabric artist creates the head fabric using the “fuku” technique, and the master doll head artist finishes the head.
- [Body Assembly] The head is made by cutting a bundle of “yak” (a material bundled to a specific thickness). For the arms, “arm wraps” are made from wire, wood shavings, and Japanese paper. Wire is threaded through the openings in the body where the arms will pass, and the arm wraps are attached.
- [Making Hands and Feet] Making Hands and Feet
- [Costume Making] Decide on the color and pattern combinations for the fabric. Cut the fabric for the outer layer, lining, and interlining according to the pattern. Attach Japanese paper to the outer layer. For the sleeve cuff interlining, sew the layers together first, then shift each layer slightly to create the pleats.
- [Dressing] Dressing the mannequin in the sewn costume. Stuffing the sleeves and shoulders with cotton to create volume and adjusting the overall fit.
- [Choreography] While considering the overall balance of the doll, place pins at the shoulders and elbows and bend them. Adjust the length of the arms and sleeves, then attach the hands.
- [Head Attachment] The head, crafted by the doll fabric artisan, doll head artisan, and doll hairstylist, is attached to the doll’s torso.
Arakawa's Artisans
Shigeo Takenaka
Clothes make the man