Japanese Paper Dolls

Japanese Paper Dolls

These dolls are made of paper. Origami was used to make the head of the larger one. The tiny dolls whirl around under their umbrella in the slightest breeze. In front is a book of brilliant wood block prints by Hiroshige titled, “53 Stages of the Tokaido” (The Emperor’s Road). It depicts landscapes and activities of travelers along the road from Edo (Tokyo) to Kyoto in the 1830’s. The artist produced many prints but his public always demanded new versions of the Tokaido so he eventually produced 20 sets.