Celebrate the lively spirit of one of Japan’s most iconic summer festivals with this charming handcrafted Awa Odori Ningyō set. Representing two joyous dancers mid-motion, these traditional dolls are dressed in colorful yukata and hakama, capturing the energy and elegance of the famous Awa Odori (阿波踊り) dance from Tokushima Prefecture.
One figure wears a classic blue-patterned yukata and holds a fan (uchiwa), while the other is adorned in a striking red and white ensemble with a braided straw hat (amigasa), a signature of female Awa dancers. Their painted Noh-style faces and dynamic postures evoke the rhythmic joy of the parade. Dancers wear traditional yukata and straw hats, and perform exaggerated, joyful movements to the chant:
「踊る阿呆に見る阿呆、同じ阿呆なら踊らにゃ損損」 “The dancers are fools, the watchers are fools, if both are fools, you might as well dance!”
Mounted on a glossy base inscribed 「阿波踊人形」, this piece is a wonderful homage to Japanese matsuri culture and an ideal display item for collectors of vintage ningyō, folk toys, or regional crafts.
