The question of what happens to unwanted dolls is a very serious one in Japan.

Household items that reach the age of 100 years are believed to acquire a soul. When discarded, they are known as Tsukumogami (付喪神)...not entirely benevolent creatures.

So what to do?
#Japan #京都

This time last year, shortly before Halloween, our teahouse looked more ghost house. We had been cleaning through the contents of the attic space, and also received an unwanted collection of dolls from an old Kyōto family.
It took us some time to solve our doll problem...
#Japan

Now some of you may think it is rather sad and cruel to dispose of these beautiful dolls, but it is no exaggeration to say that Kyōto is drowning in dolls...and most families nowadays don't really want to hang on to them. They fill the shelves of recycle shops.

#人形 #ningyō

Tsukumogami (付喪神/つくも神 lit. 'Tool Kami') are tools, instruments or household objects that have acquired a spirit after 'living' 100 years (or becoming significantly old). If uncared for or abandoned, they often become resentful and mischievous towards humans.
#Yōkai #Japan

One of the easiest ways to bid farewell to unwanted dolls is to give them a funeral & cremate them!

Ningyō Kuyō (人形供養 'Memorial Services for Dolls') are common throughout Japan. In Kyōto the most famous is carried out twice a year at the old imperial nunnery of Hōkyō-ji.

Hōkyō-ji (宝鏡寺), because of its vast collection of dolls, is nicknamed the 'Doll Temple' (人形寺). Founded some time in the late 14thC, in the past imperial princesses acted as temple head. It became a tradition for their emperor fathers to gift them dolls on special occasions.

In spring & autumn the temple opens briefly to the public, and it is during this time that the Kyōto Doll Commerce & Industry Cooperative sponsors Ningyō Kuyō (人形供養), a memorial service for dolls.
In 1959 a mound was created to enshrine the souls of dolls & their creators.

Oh! Dolls!
Albeit I know not who hath crafted ye, nor who hath loved ye;
Yet verily as ye have been lovest, ye shalt enter the true Nirvana.
-Mushanokōji Saneatsu (1885-1976).

人形よ 誰がつくりしか
誰に愛されしか 知らねども
愛された事実こそ
汝が成仏の誠なれ
-武者小路実篤

#Japan