Japan History and Culture

Hakata dolls

Hakata dolls are clay dolls manufactured in Fukuoka Prefecture,which lies in the north of the island of Kyushu.The dolls are made from clay found near Fukuoka City. Clay is carved and sculptured to make an original doll. The original doll is molded in plaster and clay is put into the plaster cast to make the same ones as the original doll.

The dolls are removed, dried, fired unglazed and then painted for final finishing. One striking characteristic of the dolls is the uniquely smooth transparent feeling of the white skin. Since a single artisan carries out the whole process from carving and sculpturing to final finishing, each doll reflects the individual creativity of its maker, thus producing such a high level of artistry and a diverse range of works.

In a way that mass production could never match, each carefully hand-crafted doll is endowed with its own life. Also, this process allows friendly, personal service whereby a customer can request a doll with a kimono pattern that represents their own wearing, for example. This is one of the reasons for the enduring popularity of Hakata dolls.

Kokeshi dolls

Kokeshi is manufactured and sold in most tourist area in Japan. They have come to symbolize Japan to people around the world. Kokeshi doll was first made in the Tohoku region of northern provinces of Japan about 150 years ago and Traditional Kokeshi dolls are now made only in the Tohoku area. There are many places in the Tohoku area where Kokeshi dolls are made as a special product of the region, and Tsuchiyu is one of such place. it was orginally made as a toy for children of country farmers.

Kokeshi dolls are simply shaped, wooden dolls from Northern Honshu. Kokeshi dolls have neither arms nor legs, but a large sphere head and a cylindrical body. Kokeshi dolls are usually painted in bright floral kimono designs, or in other simple traditional patterns. From a simple toy for children, Kokeshi doll is now recognized as one of the tradtional folk arts in Japan. Our Kokeshi dolls are handmade entirely by modern skilled artists in Japan.

Daruma dolls (Bodhidharma)
Daruma dolls are symbols of good luck, hope and optimism.

Daruma is short for Bodai Daruma, the Japanese rendering of the name. These are spherical dolls with a red painted body and a white face. Paint in one eye with a black pen, make a wish and when that wish comes true, paint in the other other eye. Daruma are often used by people wishing to pass exams, win an election or conceive a child.

Daruma dolls usually made of paper mache, weighted on the bottom so they always stand up, even when pushed- symbolic of Bodhidharma’s persistence in meditation. There are many versions of Daruma in the various localities of Japan, some of them designated as female-”ehime daruma,” or “princess daruma.” One type is made with a gofun face and rich fabrics like a kimekomi ningyo, but shaped like a Daruma; these often come in boy-girl pairs.

They represent the Zen monk Bodhidharma. Takasaki’s Shorinzan Daruma Temple is the birthplace of daruma dolls as good luck charms.

A three-stringed (Shamisen or samisen)

The shamisen is still a very popular musical instrument in Japan and now even outside the country. It’s a three-stringed traditional Japanese musical instrument. It is similar in length to a guitar, but its neck is much slimmer and without frets. It has a very long neck and is about 30 inches (one meter) long. It played with a plectrum called a bachi.

Its body is made out of wood and covered with cat or dog skin. The three strings are traditionally made of silk, but nowadays are generally nylon. The lowest string passes over a small hump at the top end, producing a buzzing sound which is characteristic of the instrument. Today it can be heard accompanying Kabuki, Bunraku and Joruri performances as well as traditional dances and folk songs.

Though many people believe that the Shamisen is originally Japanese, in fact the instrument came to Japan from China by way of the Ryukyu Islands (Okinawa) in the mid 16th century. The instrument gradually spread northward through the Japanese archipelago. Along the way it became important to the BiwaHoshi, a type of monk. The instrument evolved as it came into wider use, with various animal skins replacing the original materials used for the body of the instrument. Through the course of this evolution the instrument was adapted to traditional Japanese music, eventually becoming the instrument that we know today.

Japanese Croquettes (Korokke)

Korokke is Japanese croquette with vegetables and meat.

INGREDIENTS

• 2 potatoes (medium)
• 100g ground beef or pork
• medium yellow onion, minced
• nutmeg
• bay leaf
• flour, beaten egg, panko (Japanese bread crumbs)
• vegetable oil for deep-frying
• salt and peppers
• *For toppings:
• Korokke sauce
• Japanese mayonnaise
• tonkatsu sauce, ketchup, steak sauce
• Cabbage

PREPARATION

1. boil the unpeeled potatoes
2. saute the onion. when it turns transparent, add the ground beef or pork, nutmeg and bay leaf.
3. when the potatoes are done, strain the hot water and mash them in a bowl. set aside.
4. when the beef mixture is ready, damp it onto paper towel to soak up the extra grease.
5. add the ground beef or pork mixture to the mashed potato.
6. move the mixture onto a plate.
7. heat the vegetable oil in a pan. arrange the dipping station for flour, egg, and panko.
8. divide the potatoes mixture and shape into ball or thick ellipse.
9. when the oil is heated to 170c, dip the ball into flour, egg and panko.
10. fried them for about 3 minutes on each side until lightly browned. cook both sides.
11. when fried, put them onto paper towl to soak up the extra oil.
12. serve them with thinly sliced cabbage and tomato. and your favorite sauce