Iwatsuki Ningyo Museum

Iwatsuki – once a city of its own, now a ward of the larger Saitama City – has long been known for its dollmaking industry, believed to have originated during the Kan’ei era (1624–1645) or later.

Rich in high-quality paulownia wood and water suitable to make pigments with, the city attracted many woodworkers who constructed the grand Toshogu Shrine in Nikko. It was also in an ideal location to circulate the goods, as Tokyo was close by, and the industry grew and grew, until “Iwatsuki” was almost synonymous with dollmaking.

Iwatsuki dolls are not only known for their quality, but also for their diverse styles. While only a few different types of dolls are usually made in one town, the artisans of Iwatsuki specialize in many, from samurai dolls to hina-ningyō, Ichimatsu to kabuki style.

An impressive collection of such intricate handicrafts can be found at the Iwatsuki Ningyo Museum, founded by the Saitama City government and opened in February 2020. It houses many traditional Japanese dolls, part of a collection of over 6,000 items donated by the family of 19th-century folklorist Senko Nishizawa and his artist son-in-law Tekiho.