Kidai Shoran (detail) © Staatliche Museen zu Berlin, Museum für Asiatische Kunst (Asian Art Museum, National Museums in Berlin), former collection of Hans-Joachim and Inge Küster, gift of Manfred Bohms 2002, photography: Tadao Kodaira

15Jikkendana Doll Fair

Of all the doll markets in Edo, the Jikkendana (“ten stores”) at Honkokuchō (Hongokuchō) was the grandest of them all. Sales of dolls were brisk at the temporary stalls set up in conjunction with the Doll Festival celebrated in March to wish for the growth and happiness of girls. In May, carp streamers and dolls with helmets and armor were sold for Boy’s Day, when people wish for the growth and development of boys. In winter, a year-end market would have been held in the same location. In the image, doll shops are visible behind the stalls.