Title : Doro Ningyö (Clay Doll)

Artist : Kawase Hasui

Date : c. 1930

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Source : Honolulu Museum of Art
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Description : This clay doll demonstrates distinctive make-up, hairstyle, and costume, identifying it as a Kabuki actor from the play “Shibaraku.” It is one of the “Eighteen Best Plays” of the Ichikawa family, one of the well-known families that invented the aragoto (rough) style of Kabuki. It is usually performed at year's end, as a way of praying for the next year's prosperity in business. The doll is holding a notebook containing business records. Written on the notebook are the words daifukuchö (Great Luck Notebook). The title of the notebook is used in order to invite luck and prosperity into one's place of business. (from “Doll! Doll! Doll! / Kawase Hasui” exhibition, 2/14/2003-)

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