【Feature Exhibition 1】The Beauty and Technique of Handicraft >(Papier-mâché in Hakata) )~Jul. 12, 2020(Sun)

Handicraft which Reflect Daily Life

Hakata Hariko (Papier-mâché) is a traditional handicraft popularly used in daily life.

During the Toka Ebisu festival, an auspicious Fukuzasa bamboo leaf attached to a Hakata Hariko fish doll is sold as a souvenir. This is the Hakata Hariko Daruma doll, a popular prize in the raffle held at the festival. The Hakata Hariko festive mask is an indispensable item in the Hakata Dontaku festival. The Hariko tiger doll is a traditional gift from Hakata given to a newborn baby boy on Children’s day. In Hakata’s traditional standup comedy, Hakata Niwaka actors wear wigs and Hakata Hariko masks called the Niwaka mask. As such, Hakata Hariko is popular as a lucky charm or a prop of traditional art.

Hakata Hariko started in the middle of the Edo period when a merchant from Hakata learned the method in Osaka and brought it back to his hometown.

Hariko is made by pasting layers of washi paper in the shape of a mache and later painted in a bright color. Hakata Hariko, which is thoroughly handmade, captures both the refined skills of the craftsman and the aesthetic value of a handicraft.

This feature exhibition introduces tools and procedures in making Hakata Hariko. It also introduces Hariko dolls from our collection gathered from all over Japan.

exhibition leaflet