Okiagari Roly-poly Doll - Japanese Festival Ami

Matsuri Girl - The Essence of Festival

In Japan, ‘Matsuri’ means festival, a vibrant celebration full of joy, colour and tradition. The Matsuri girl is the heart of the festival, radiating grace and vitality. She reminds us that happiness is found in the celebration of life, in shared moments and in the resilience to move forward with positive energy.

A Japanese Tradition

Okiagari-koboshi means “little monk who stands up”. These traditional Japanese roly-poly dolls are made from papier-mâché. They are designed to always return to an upright position, even if you try to tip them onto their side. Okiagaris were actually mentioned in 14th-century writings.

Symbolism

Okiagaris symbolise perseverance and determination in times of adversity. They are a reminder of the old Japanese proverb “Fall seven times, stand up eight”. According to tradition, a doll is given to each person in the family plus one, in the hope that a baby will be born during the year. During the Tokaichi or Tenth Day Market, customers drop a few dolls at a time, and the ones that remain standing are said to bring good fortune.