Japanese Ito-Jime Doll by Eiju Shimizu

Japanese Ito-Jime Doll is a testament to a unique Japanese doll-making tradition pioneered by the late master doll maker Jusaburo Tsujimura, renowned for his puppets in NHK's Shin Hakkenden. Crafted without clay, these dolls are formed using wood wool molded with a traditional Japanese iron (wagote), resulting in a distinctive softness and lifelike quality.

As Jusaburo's foremost apprentice, Eiju Shimizu has inherited and mastered this intricate technique. His dolls embody the delicate balance of tradition and innovation, capturing an organic charm that evolves subtly with their environment. Combining his artistry with his unique perspective as a dentist, Shimizu has elevated Ito-Jime Dolls into an extraordinary expression of cultural and artistic heritage.