人形・こけし
<Doll and Kokeshi>
江戸あねさま
Edo Anesama


町家・武家・花柳界・廓など、身分職業、年齢などによってはっきりした区別のあった日本髪。町娘か芸者か分からないような正体不明の<あねさま>は、江戸あねさまとは言えません。江戸あねさまは、こうした風俗を厳格・忠実に表すことをモットーとしています。町娘には初々しさを、芸者には粋を、大名の姫君には優雅な上品さを表現します。その姿には、洗練された美しさが漂います。
Edo Anesama (江戸あねさま) refers to a style of traditional Japanese doll from the Edo period (1603-1868). The term "Anesama" translates to "older sister", because they were often crafted by the eldest daughters or women in Edo castle households. These dolls are typically tall with slim bodies, stylized hair, and feature no painted facial features, resulting in a blank or minimalist face—a design choice meant to evoke imagination and personality. They are made from materials like wood, paper, and textiles. They are often collected as decorative pieces and hold cultural significance, representing the ideals of beauty and femininity in Edo-period Japan.
