This whimsical vintage folk craft from Hakone features a delightful pair of nodding wooden dolls modeled after Yaji and Kita, the beloved comic duo from the Edo-period satirical travel novel Tōkaidōchū Hizakurige (東海道中膝栗毛), written by Jippensha Ikku in the early 1800s.
The novel, which follows the misadventures of two bumbling travelers journeying the famed Tōkaidō road, became one of Japan’s earliest travel comedies and helped popularize domestic tourism. Its humor, regional commentary, and travel anecdotes charmed readers and still offer insight into Edo-period culture and humor today.
What makes this folk craft especially unique is its clever kiseru pipe-inspired design, each character's limbs and body resemble components of traditional Japanese smoking pipes. Despite the minimalistic construction, the personalities of Yaji and Kita shine through, with one holding a pair of bento boxes tied with rope, a charming nod to their ever-hungry, lighthearted nature.
Their exaggerated expressions and bright blue topknots give the pair a distinctly comical charm. The dolls are mounted on a base marked with “箱根” (Hakone), indicating their origin in the renowned hot spring and craft region. While modest in finish and slightly aged, the piece is full of nostalgic character and folk humor—reminiscent of Japan’s version of Abbott and Costello.
A rare and entertaining collectible that captures the spirit of Edo-period travel, storytelling, and folk artistry.
Size: 13 x 6 x 14cm
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