Doro Ningyö (Clay Doll)

A second version of Hasui's doro ningyö subject, this print may differ from the related variant in the selection of figurines depicted, the background treatment, or the color palette applied to the dolls' painted surfaces. Clay folk dolls from Japan's regional craft traditions vary considerably in style — from the rounded, pastel-toned Fushimi ningyo to the bolder, more architecturally painted Hakata dolls — and different editions may feature distinct regional types. The multiple-block printing process of shin-hanga, with its capacity for precisely registered flat color areas and fine key-block detail, is well suited to capturing the decorative complexity of painted clay surfaces. As with the related print, this work represents a notable instance of Hasui engaging with still-life and folk-craft subject matter.