Since Hakata is quite close to Korean peninsula and China, it received a
tremendous impact from Eastern Asian culture from ancient times. We can see
this influence in famous local handicrafts such as Hakata-Ori (Hakata
Fabrics) and Hakata Dolls. Unglazed dolls have been highly regarded for at
least eight-hundred(800) years.
Recent archaeological reseach reveals that tha love affair with dolls began
in the Chinese quarter or temples and shrines in Hakata and Kamakura in the
Kamakura era.
in 1600 (Azuchi/Momoyama era), Kuroda Nagamasa, an influential lord, moved
to the country of Chikuzen (Hakata and its surrounding areas) to rule there.
At the time of this movement to Cikuzen many cratsmen were requested to get
together at Hakata to build the town. This led to foundation of our
traditional handicrafts and arts.
As for unglazed dolls in the late Edo era, excellent craftsmen such as
Nakankko Kichibei, Masaki Sousichi (the founder of Sou-Hichi), Shirouzu
Buhei,and so forth did good work and the Hakata Doll industry enjoyed
popularity, The dolls were sold in many places all over Japan.
In the Meiji era, the Hakata Dolls were exhibited at international
exhibitions in Paris and other countries and gained a high reputation as
excellent dolls.
Later, the doll become known as "Hakata Doll" and to bo treated as one of
the representative features of Japanese culture
Hakata Dolls are also exported overseas.
Now there are about one hundred (100) Hakata Doll manufacturers who make
traditional and creative Hakata dolls.