The fact that dolls are an indispensable part of our daily lives is not limited to Japan, but the diversity of dolls and their delicate craftsmanship, backed by a deep love of dolls, could be said to be the characteristics of Japanese doll culture. This exhibition presents a comprehensive introduction to the aesthetics of Japanese dolls – from Katashiro and Amagatsu, which are considered to be the archetypes of dolls in Japan, to local dolls that reflect the climate and anecdotes from across the country, to dress-up dolls that are beloved in Japan today as doll toys, and scale figures that are highly regarded around the world.
Under the title NINGYŌ, which means "human shape" in Japanese, the doll culture that has been cultivated over the long history of Japan is introduced through a total of 67 carefully selected dolls, divided into four sections: Ningyō to pray for children’s growth, Ningyō as fine art, Ningyō as folk art, and Spread of Ningyō culture.