The Cleveland Museum of Art

Collection Online as of April 20, 2024

Court Ladies Making Dolls

Court Ladies Making Dolls

1790s

attributed to Kubo Shunman

(Japanese, 1757–1820)
Japan, Edo period (1615-1868)
color woodblock print
Gift of Myrta Leonora Jones 1922.175
Location: not on view

Did You Know?

Myrta Leonora Jones, the donor of this work, was a women’s rights activist in Cleveland in the early 20th century.

Description

Since ancient times dolls were used in Japan for religious purposes, especially for the healing of impurities or illness. Mothers often presented dolls to shrines to secure the protection of kami (spirits) for their children. Each year there is a doll festival (Hina Matsuri) or Girl's Festival on March 3rd at which families display heirloom sets of dolls dressed in costumes of the ancient imperial court. This is a section of a surimono (a print in which an image is combined with poetry to celebrate a special event) or an album page.
  • ?–1922
    Myrta Leonora Jones [1860–1954], Cleveland, OH, given to the Cleveland Museum of Art
    1922–
    The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH
  • Japanese Prints from the Museum Collection. The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH (organizer) (September 5-October 28, 1934).
  • {{cite web|title=Court Ladies Making Dolls|url=false|author=Kubo Shunman|year=1790s|access-date=20 April 2024|publisher=Cleveland Museum of Art}}

Source URL:

https://www.clevelandart.org/art/1922.175