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 The Evolution and History of Japanese Dolls
The Japanese word ningyo, or 'human form', while commonly translated as 'doll', can indicate far more than what may typically be considered a doll in America. The majority of traditional ningyo types are not intended as playthings, and many are afforded some level of respect or even veneration.
From the earliest times, it seems that human-shaped figures had a ritual or religious purpose. Although there is not much known for certain about the purpose of the dogu, the earliest human-shaped figures, which were created during the later Jomon period from c. 3000-300 B.C., it is commonly believed that they must have had some ritualistic purpose, perhaps representing gods or spirits. The Haniwa were clay figurines which were buried in circular groups around large tombs in the Kofun period (c. 250-550 A.D.). The Nihongi, a collection of ancient chronicles of Japan written in 720 A.D., tells of the invention of Haniwa by the Emperor Sujin, who had abolished the practice of junshi, or following in death, performed by servants and retainers of a deceased member of the Imperial Court. The haniwa were then created and buried in place of the servants and animals who had previously been buried up to their necks in the ground around the tomb and left to die. Whether or not this story is accurate, the haniwa, which were formed to represent all manner of people, including servants, warriors, dancers, farmers, and even animals, were almost certainly to be of use to the newly deceased. When Buddhism arrived and grew powerful in Japan in the mid sixth century A.D., many Buddhist statues were created. Of course, we would not call a statue of the Buddha a doll, or even ningyo, but these statues are an important stage in the development of human-shaped figures.
In the Heian period, from 794-1192, the first dolls bearing resemblance to those of modern day were created. The hitogata, flat figures commonly made of wood or paper, were used as a method of washing away one's troubles. They would be cast off into a river, taking evil with them as they floated out to sea, thus purifying the person whom they represent. An example of this from the Heian period can be seen in The Tale of Genji, which was written in the Heian by a court lady known as Murasaki Shikibu. In chapter 12, "Suma", a hitogata is cast off, "bearing away sins and tribulations." Also born during the Heian, or perhaps Kamakura (1192-1336), period were the amagatsu and hoko. The amagatsu is the male form, made of a bamboo body and wooden head covered with silk. It stands with  the arms straight out to the sides and wears a silk kimono and possibly a brocade outer kimono as well, both with the long sleeves of the furisode long sleeved kimono. This seems to be the first clothed doll in Japan. The hoko represented a female baby, and was made of a white silk body sewn to the shape of a crawling infant, with a seam down the middle and one down each arm and leg. The head is wooden and has a long neck which is inserted into the body. The hoko doll can also have long black hair, the first doll with hair that was not painted on. Hihina, meaning miniature, were also created in the Heian period. Unlike every other type of doll so far, these were apparently intended as playthings. For example, in The Tale of Genji, the young girl Murasaki often plays with hihina dolls.
Today, there are several common types of uniquely Japanese dolls. The Hina dolls, images of elegance and tradition, can perhaps be seen as the culmination of these centuries of ningyo creations. The amagatsu and hoko are believed to be the ancestors of this modern form, and it is easy to see why. The hina ningyo are only displayed once a year, during the Hina Matsuri (Doll Festival), Momo-no-Sekku (Peach Festival), or Girl's Day, on March 3rd. Similar to the Hina dolls used on Girl's Day are the dolls on Boy's Day, or Tangu-no-Sekku, on May 5th. These dolls often include representations of warriors and horses, and a display might also include a suit of armor and banners, including the popular carp banner which would be hung outside a house in which a young boy lived. The gosho ningyo, or Imperial Palace dolls, are commonly gifts among members of the Imperial Court. They represent infants or very young children and have a brilliant white skin of gofun, a white covering of ground seashell and seaweed paste.
Mitsu-ori ningyo, or three-fold dolls, have corded joints at hips, knees and ankles so they can sit or stand. They also had upper arms made of fabric, so these dolls can be dressed and undressed, implying their use as play dolls. However, it seems that these would be played with more often by grown women, who would treat them as if they were their real children. Kamo ningyo and the later kimekomi ningyo are carved of willow wood and then fabric is inserted into slits made in the wood to give the illusion of clothing. All manner of dolls are created in this fashion, including dolls for both Boy's Day and Girl's Day.
  
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