13 October 2019
Bahrain Culture Inaugurates “Dolls of Japan” Exhibition, Japanese Culture highlighted
The Bahrain Authority for Culture & Antiquities inaugurated, on Sunday 13 October 2019,“The Dolls of Japan” exhibition at the Bahrain National Museum, held in collaboration with the Embassy of Japan in the Kingdom of Bahrain. The opening ceremony was held with the presence of Her Excellency Dr. Shaikha Rana bint Isa bin Daij Al Khalifa, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, H.E Shaikha Hala bint Mohammed Al Khalifa, Director-General of Culture and Arts at the Culture Authority, and Mr. Hideki Ito, H.E Ambassador of Japan To the Kingdom of Bahrain, along with diplomatic representatives and culture enthusiasts in the Kingdom.
Speaking for the occasion, H.E Shaikha Hala bint Mohammed Al Khalifa, lauded the fervent constant Japanese cultural presence in the Bahraini scene, thanking the Embassy of Japan for its continuous cooperation with Bahrain Culture Authority and its keenness to enhance close relationships between both countries through culture. H.E has pointed out that the exhibition offers the opportunity to Bahrainis and visitors to discover the richness of the Japanese culture, presented in a different perspective, which would boost the openness tendency opted by the Kingdom of Bahrain.
Ambassador Hideki Ito, for his part, thanked Bahrain Culture Authority with special emphasis on the strenuous efforts deployed by H.E Shaikha Mai Bint Mohammad Al-Khalifa, President of Bahrain Authority for Culture & Antiquities to organize this exhibition. Japanese ambassador added, stressing the role of culture in promoting increased understanding between Japan and Bahrain, renowned for its unique openness and diversity through the “ Dolls of Japan”, which mirrors the genuine traditional Japanese culture.
The exhibition “ Dolls of Japan”, which is open throughout the week from 13 October 2019 - 13 November 2019, 10am to 6pm but remains closed on Tuesdays, presents the “Kingdom of Dolls”, Japan, a country that enjoys a rich culture of dolls. Each doll has its own distinct meaning and purpose and is deeply connected to daily life. This traditional appreciation for dolls has resulted in the belief that dolls are not only children’s toys but also works of art to be displayed and admired and resulted in creating unlimited styles of Dolls. The culture of dolls is interwoven with recognizable themes of the Noh theatre and Kabuki and different festivals.
The exhibition selection of about fifty dolls is aimed at representing the overall diversity and variety of their types in the Japanese tradition, such as the Hina dolls illustrate Girls’ Day. In addition to the Noh theatre, Bunraku and Kabuki are also known as two great Japanese traditional art forms and the themes represented by these dolls have been taken from some of the most famous Bunraku and Kabuki scenes. It also clearly reflects the customs of Japan and the aspirations of its people, possess distinctive regional attributes, and over the centuries have developed in many diverse forms. the Imperial palace dolls with large heads and fair skin and the Kabuki doll of a courtesan in an ornate kimono and hairdo.
Dolls also provide a showcase for traditional Japanese craft products, such as textiles. The tradition of dolls making continues today as craftsmen using time-honored methods to create traditional Japanese dolls in addition to many artists who create decorative dolls.
This exhibition features a distinguished selection of fine dolls including traditional performing arts, regional dolls and creative dolls. Indeed, doll exhibitions represent specific competitions where craftsmen show the finest manufacturing techniques, whereby contemporary craftsmen use proven old methods in the creation of traditional Japanese dolls, which are particularly appreciated by their owners. Thus, this exhibition offers a representative overview of the diversity of Japanese dolls and fineness of their manufacture.
What characterizes the Japanese dolls is the serenity emitted from their faces. Their delicate expression is achieved by careful application of shell powder which covers the dolls’ faces. With their expressive colors these dolls at the same time show the affluence and luxury of Japanese ancient costumes.
