"Two Doll Figures" — 20th century — captures the traditional Japanese doll (ningyo) as a subject for woodblock exploration. Japanese dolls, whether the aristocratic Hina dolls of the spring festival or the kokeshi wooden dolls of the northern folk tradition, carry layers of cultural meaning: they are simultaneously decorative objects, ritual items, and stand-ins for human presence. Two figures together create a social arrangement — a pair, a couple, a duo — and Munakata's handling of this subject would find in the simplified forms of the traditional doll an interesting parallel with his own tendency toward bold, simplified human form.
1960
Woodblock print
Shôwa period, 1926-1989
Woodblock print
1939-68
Woodblock print
1939 (printed 1955)
Woodblock print
Curated cross-cuts that include this print.
Two Doll Figures was created by Shiko Munakata (棟方志功) in 20th century.
Two Doll Figures depicts figures, mythology, and still life.
