Keshi-bina dolls

The first Hina dolls produced in Edo were Kokin-bina. Before the Kokin-bina doll appeared, Hina dolls were primarily produced in Kyoto. Different from Kyoto’s Yusoku-bina doll which perfectly reflects court culture, Kokin-bina does not provide an accurate portrayal of the life and style of court nobles. However, the gorgeous costume and its good-looking long face gained great popularity in Edo. And in particular, tiny kokin-bina were called ‘keshi or poppyseed bina.’ There is a theory that tiny Hina doll became popular once the luxury goods were banned by sumptuary laws. This set of keshi bina dolls is a valuable group made by Nanasawa-ya, one of the most famous doll shops in Edo.