400+ handcrafted Edo-Kimekomi Dolls

Posted by Philatelist under Blogging, Exhibitions, Explore Singapore 2009, Explore Singapore!, Hobbies and Toys, Museums/Heritage Galleries, Reflections
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There are a lot of dolls at the Singapore Philatelic Museum (SPM) now. In fact, I have never seen so many dolls at any one time. Not to mention that these dolls are beautifully handcrafted Edo-Kimekomi dolls dressed in exquisite costumes. Imagine yourself spending two years working on the same task. Difficult right! But that was exactly the amount of time needed to make one doll. These dolls are so precious that Japanese families will display it during the Japanese Doll Festival or Girls’ Day held on the 3rd day of the 3rd month, and Children’s Day in 5th day of the 5th month.

The wedding scene from "The Mouse's Wedding"

My favourite Kimekomi dolls display shows a scene is from a Japanese children’s classic tale “The Mouse’s Wedding”. The scene depicts the happy ending to the tale - the wedding celebration.

And this is how the tale goes…

A mice couple was very determined to marry their beautiful daughter to the most powerful person in the land. Not knowing that their daughter had already fallen in love with another mouse, they tried to marry her to the Sun, which they thought was the most powerful. The Sun told the couple that he was not the strongest as the Cloud could cover him and make him disappear.

The couple then approached the Cloud and offered their daughter’s hand in marriage. The Cloud denied that he was the most powerful person as he could be blown off by the Wind. On hearing that, they went in search of the Wind. The Wind arrogantly denied he was the strongest person because the Wall could easily block his way.

The three mice then went to look for the Wall. When they found the Wall, he told them that he was also not the most powerful. He told them that mice were the most powerful as they could make holes in walls with their strong and sharp teeth. The three mice then realised that it was very true.

Their daughter took the opportunity to present her sweetheart to her parents. The parents agreed to the marriage. A wedding was held and the two mice lived happily ever after.

PS: These Kimekomi dolls are on display until Sunday, 12 noon. So visit SPM right away!

Singapore Philatelic Museum. 23-B Coleman Street. Singapore 179807.

Tel: 6337 3888. Free Admission, 14 & 15 November 2009. 9am - 7pm.