These have glass eyes, jointed arms and legs, moveable heads, closed mouths and graceful bodies ... As a rule, these are German- or Japanese-made dolls and the most immediate thing to notice ...

On the surface, Nagoro is like any other sleepy riverside village in southern Japan’s remote Iya Valley ... scarecrows (a three-day process per doll) in remembrance of their presence.

A Japanese village struggling with a low population created life-sized dolls to mimic the feeling of a bustling society. The hamlet of Ichinono, which has less than 60 residents and only one child ...

As fewer people are displaying hina dolls at home, the company is cooperating to promote traditional culture. The display will continue until March 4. Note: Japanese hina dolls are ornaments for ...