By Iyo Ittoubori “Nangun”

May Dolls Exuding the Warmth of Hand-Carving

This May Doll set by Iyo Ittoubori “Nangun” is a two-tier display featuring a helmet, Momotaro, Kintaro, and carp streamers. Finished with pure gold leaf, the display stand and folding screen are adorned with jacquard-woven cranes, creating a luxurious May Doll arrangement.

Each motif carries an auspicious meaning, allowing you to celebrate the seasonal holiday while wishing for your child’s health and success.

【Helmet】
A charm to ward off misfortune such as illness and accidents and to wish for healthy growth.
【Kintaro】
A wish for your child to grow up healthy and kind-hearted.
【Momotaro】
A wish for your child to grow up healthy and strong, and to become a person with many followers. The five-colored streamers are said to ward off evil spirits.
【Carp Streamers】
To celebrate a boy’s healthy growth and wish for his success in life.
The five-colored streamers are said to ward off evil spirits.
【Kashiwamochi】
 The leaves of the kashiwa tree do not fall until new buds emerge, leading them to be associated with an unbroken family line and, furthermore, with the prosperity of one’s descendants.

“Nangun” pieces are entirely handcrafted by skilled artisans. Inheriting the sculpting techniques of the first generation of Buddhist sculptors, their distinctive gentle colors and compact, uncluttered scenes create an elegant, distinctly Japanese look that blends beautifully with modern interiors. The pieces are crafted from fragrant hinoki wood with a soft, beautiful grain. The gentle scent of natural wood envelops you in a warm atmosphere.

The dolls are made in the order of wood carving, carving, and coloring,
and Nangun’s wood-carved dolls are finally brought to life by adding the eyes.

A luxurious folding screen adorned with jacquard-woven cranes

＜Carving＞
Using over a dozen small knives and chisels, the dolls are carefully carved in two stages: rough carving and detailed finishing. After carving, the head is polished to a smooth, soft finish.

＜Coloring＞
The coloring process also consists of two stages: applying the base coat and detailed finishing. Over twenty different brushes are skillfully used to carefully color every detail. Nangun’s wood-carved dolls are finally brought to life by adding the eyes.

※Please note.
As everything is finished by hand, the coloring and facial details may not look exactly like the photos. Thank you for your understanding.

Craftsmanship

Carefully crafted down to the last detail

Everything, including the display stand and folding screen, is carefully crafted. The display stand doubles as a storage box, and all the pieces fit inside, allowing it to be stored compactly without taking up much space, making it ideal as a gift.