真多呂人形 — passing on 280 years
of traditional craftsmanship today
A Japanese sense of beauty, handed down across the ages.
真多呂人形 carries on the 280-year-old kimekomi doll tradition,
with each piece crafted carefully, one by one, by the hands of our artisans.
Inherited skill and sensibility bring a quiet beauty to modern life.
Recognized by Kamigamo Shrine, the birthplace of kimekomi dolls — the sole orthodox successor
Mataro Ningyo carries on the kimekomi doll tradition, bringing its refined techniques into the present day.
Founded in 1919 (Taisho 8), Mataro Ningyo crafts kimekomi Hina dolls, May (Boys') dolls and other traditional works whose techniques span some 280 years, dating to the Genbun era of the Edo period.
The kimekomi doll is said to have begun in that era with dolls made by Tadashige Takahashi, who served at Kyoto's Kamigamo Shrine. It evolved through many changes from the Meiji era on: the Tokyo doll master Eikichi Yoshino brought the technique back from Kyoto and refined it, laying the foundation of today's form. The first-generation Mataro Kanebayashi studied under Eikichi's son Kiyoji and added his own ingenuity to perfect the uniquely elegant Mataro style.
Mataro is the only maker recognized by Kamigamo Shrine as the orthodox successor of the kimekomi doll.
Designated by the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry — the craft of a Traditional Craft
真多呂's kimekomi dolls inherit and refine traditional techniques and carry them into the present day. 真多呂人形 is one of Japan's Traditional Crafts. Among the everyday articles nurtured and handed down through Japan's age-old history and culture, those that satisfy the requirements of the Traditional Crafts Industry Law established by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry are certified as Traditional Crafts.
Born of numerous processes and the devoted skill of its artisans, these elegant masterpieces were certified as a Traditional Craft in 1978 (Showa 53) and are held in high regard.
One-of-a-kind Japanese dolls created by the hands of a Master of Traditional Crafts
A Traditional Craft is handmade in its main processes and requires advanced traditional skills, which take many years to acquire.
To pass these advanced skills on to future generations, the Association for the Promotion of Traditional Craft Industries has held the "Master of Traditional Crafts Certification Examination" since 1975 (Showa 50), certifying those who possess the highest techniques among the artisans engaged in producing Traditional Crafts designated by the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry. Mataro Kanebayashi, the artisan of 真多呂人形, was certified as a Master of Traditional Crafts in 1978 (Showa 53).
Mataro Kanebayashi III
Drawn to Japan's traditional arts, he studied the craft under his father, the second-generation Mataro.
Under Hideo Shimada, councillor of the Nitten exhibition, and Shigeki Yamazaki, Nitten member and member of the Japan Sculpture Society,
he studied sculpture and drawing, and infused the traditional kimekomi doll technique with a modern sensibility — a distinctive "Mataro character" —
bringing elegant masterpieces into the world.
National Seasonal Doll Competition — Awards
