What on earth do dolls from Japan have to do with Oman? Great question. Well, there is a special exhibition at Qurum City Centre “to celebrate the 40th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Japan and Oman“.
“Kintaro is a boy of Herculean strength who appears in a Japanese folktale. It is believed that the Kintaro doll represents boys’ health.“
Wooden dolls dressed in kimonos are a style of doll-making known as Kimekomi.
“Kurodabushi: Samurai of Kuroda” – “This doll is based on a legend of a man who gulped down sake in a large cup and obtained a spear as a prize.”
She’s quite “a doll”, isn’t she? 😉
“Warabe Jishi: Young Lion” – “The boy plays with the mask of a lion’s head”.
“Kotoro: Playing Tag“
“The gallant young samurai in brilliant armor is about to go into battle as a general of the army.” (by Ippo Ohashi, an active artist in Kyoto)
“This adorable sleeping baby is Monotaro, the Peach Boy, a popular Japanese fairy-tale hero.”
“Nagashi Bina: Floating Doll” – “The girl is going to the river with her paper doll in a straw basket. It is still a custom throughout Japan to float dolls on the river while praying for happiness.”
Well, those are just some of the interesting dolls at the exhibition at Qurum City Centre. I certainly didn’t expect to experience Japanese culture when I went shopping here in Oman. After filling in a short feedback form about the exhibition, we were given a booklet about the exhibition entitled, “The Dolls of Japan: Shades of Prayer, Embodiments of Love” published by Japan Foundation. I never know what I’m going to see next out and about in Oman. That’s why I try never to leave home without a camera! 🙂
Andy in Oman 
nice, i’m actually going to oman next month i was wondering if this is yet to come ?, seems like a very amusing event, i love the Japanese dresses 🙂
Amal, this event was only running for a short period in December. It’s over now!