Dolls from Japan on display in Hilo exhibit

Authentic handmade dolls from Japan are on display at the Hawaii Japanese Center in Hilo for a few weeks.

The Hawaii Japanese Center is presenting the free exhibit to showcase dozens of beautiful dolls that were hand-selected by experts at the Japan Foundation.

To enhance the understanding of Japanese art and culture, the Foundation collaborates with overseas museums on a wide range of exhibitions, from traditional to contemporary.

In Japan, dolls have been a part of everyday life since ancient times. Japanese dolls reflect the customs of Japan and the aspirations of its people.

Over time, dolls have started to display distinctive regional attributes and have developed into many diverse forms. The dolls provide a showcase for traditional Japanese craft products, such as textiles.

The Japan Consulate in Honolulu helped coordinate the collection’s only stop in Hawaii.

The exhibit is free at the center and can be viewed from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday until Wednesday, April 20.

Arnold Hiura, executive director of the center, is asking those interested in viewing the doll exhibit to call ahead at 934-9611 to let employees know beforehand.

Throughout the pandemic, the center has been working on building a separate, permanent exhibit in its main gallery to celebrate the history of Japanese culture in Hawaii.

All artifacts have come from local families and are being put in chronological order of history. The exhibit will also recognize the many immigrants who came to Hawaii during the plantation era.

An opening date has not been set, but the exhibit is nearly done, according to Hiura.