Yūsoku-bina dolls

A set of Hina dolls is displayed during the Doll Festival in order to celebrate the health and happiness of girls in Japan. There were various kinds of Hina dolls during the Edo period from 1603 to 1867. Yūsoku-bina was just one kind. Yūsoku-bina dolls were made in Kyoto and appeared for the first time in the 18th century. They represent court nobles clad in exact replica of Imperial Court costume, hairstyle, and makeup. The male doll wears kariginu, an informal court costume. The female doll wears an informal court dress as well, consisting of a scarlet skirt and several layered robes. The graceful dolls, born from the court culture in Kyoto, were suitable pieces for display for the families of feudal lords.