Japanese Hina Dolls, Emperor & Empress with Wooden Box, 1950s

Charming and rare set of two Hina-ningyō (雛人形) – the Emperor and Empress – traditionally displayed during Hina Matsuri (the Girls’ Festival) on March 3rd. The figures are seated on a black lacquered wooden platform with a hand-painted wooden screen behind them, depicting a mountain landscape with sakura (cherry blossoms).

Dimensions: height 22.5 cm, width 30 cm, depth 14 cm.

The faces are finely modeled and painted in a classic style, with layered silk garments in vivid shades of red, orange, and green. The Emperor holds a fan and a sword, while the Empress wears an ornate metal crown decorated with delicate ornaments.

The set is housed in its original wooden storage box with a sliding panel, featuring a colorful vintage label reading “Etsumi Kyoto” (越三 京典) — a known Kyoto dollmaker active in the mid-20th century. A second label reads 手書き雛 (tegaki hina), meaning “hand-painted dolls,” indicating the artisanal quality of this set.

An atmospheric and authentic piece of Japanese craftsmanship, full of the charm of a traditional Hina display — perfect as a decorative duo or collector’s item.