Making Hina dolls of "Gokayama Washi" for the peach festival Toyama Nanto

In Nanto City, Toyama Prefecture, the making of Hina dolls using Gokayama Japanese paper is at its peak for the festival of peaches in March.

Hina dolls made from Gokayama Japanese paper began to be made as souvenirs about 50 years ago.

At the Japanese paper making workshop in Shimonashi, Nanto City, Hina dolls are made every year from the beginning of January.

As the material for the Hina dolls, we use the scraps that are made when making stationery and envelopes.

After making a doll from a piece of melted Japanese paper, paste various colors of Japanese paper such as red and blue on it.

Carefully draw the face of the doll and the pattern of the clothes with a brush to complete a cute Hina doll.

This year, we plan to make about 100 dolls.

Shinya Maezaki, who is in charge of painting, said, "Because of the unevenness, the painting work is delicate and difficult, but if you can smile like a doll, it is popular with customers."

Hina dolls will be ready by the end of this week and will be sold at local souvenir shops.