Tradition and Innovation: Toko Kakinuma’s Commitment

Kakinuma Ningyo, founded in 1950, is a workshop specializing in Edo Kimekomi dolls for seasonal festivals. The second-generation head, Toko Kakinuma, is a certified Traditional Craftsman with numerous awards for his creative doll-making.

He has pursued unique techniques such as mother-of-pearl (raden) inlay and Saishiki Futae-kasane (multilayered coloring), while actively creating innovative dolls that reflect modern sensibilities. Driven by a desire to bring Edo Kimekomi dolls into daily life beyond traditional festivals, he created the “Maneki-neko” (Fortune Cat) series. This collection has gained global attention, blending traditional craftsmanship with new materials like leather and diverse fabric combinations to create an entirely new world of Edo Kimekomi.