Hiromine Nakamura

Nakamura Ningyo

Doll maker

©Nakamura Ningyo

©Kazuo Matsumotoo

Infusing pop culture into ancestral doll art

Hiromine handcrafts Hakata dolls in the traditional style, leaving an unglazed porcelain finish
He works with his father Shinkyo in the family workshop
His craft dates back to the Dogū figures of Jōmon culture over 10,000 years ago

Hiromine Nakamura is the fourth generation in the esteemed Nakamura Ningyo family lineage, a dollmaking workshop founded in 1917. Nakamura Ningyo handcrafts dolls embodying Japanese aspirations and dreams. Hiromine continues to innovate within this very traditional craft of Japanese doll making. His works often blend classical techniques with present-day themes and pop culture influences, exploring what an Edo-period artisan and a modern doll maker have in common. Hiromine's creations elevate classical Japanese dolls to contemporary art, honouring ancient sculpting and colouring techniques while infusing a humorous perspective. His meticulously crafted, vividly coloured dolls are adorned with intricate patterns and adopt contemporary postures. His pieces reflect his ability to merge traditional Japanese themes with modern influences, offering a playful connection between past and present.

Where

Interview

What is the connection between your craft and your region?: I am involved in Hakata Ningyo, a traditional craft known as Hakata Dolls. This craft has a history of over 400 years in Fukuoka Prefecture in Japan. My works follow the traditional method of Hakata dollmaking, which involves colouring fired clay with paint.
What is a lesser-known aspect of the production process?: In doll making, the most challenging aspect is often the face. While eyes are commonly thought to be the hardest, surprisingly, eyebrows require much more precision in creating the right expressions.
Did you apprentice under a master to learn your craft?: I apprenticed under my father, Shinkyo Nakamura, then spent a year perfecting my skills at the Kakiemon kiln and Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine for training. Afterwards, I returned to Nakamura Ningyō and trained in traditional Hakata doll techniques for five years.
How would you describe your work and creative process?: I aim to honour our rich cultural heritage while adding a new chapter for the future. Meeting people and incorporating their feelings into my work is essential, as I express a shared human experience across the past, present, and future through my dolls.

Hiromine Nakamura is an expert artisan: he began his career in 2012