There were lots of stalls selling dolls and small items along the main street at Ningyo-cho. Doll lovers enjoyed shopping and browsing.
In Edo era, there were two kabuki theaters 'Nakamuraza' and 'Ichimuraza' in the area. In addition to them, some puppet plays were staged. So, there lived a lot of puppeteers and toy manufacturers there. Souvenir shops selling dolls were also thriving. Ningyo-cho was a lively place in Edo era.
There are two automaton clock towers on the main street. One tower features lakugo, a traditional Japanese comic storytelling. The other tower shows the Hikeshi, or the firefighters, in Edo era. On the hour from 11 am to 7 pm, small firefighter dolls show their performances for two minutes in the windows of the tower. A doll performs up on the ladder, the other doll brandishes a matoi, or fireman's standard. Those dolls tell us that the firefighters climbed up on the roof and swung around a matoi at the scene of the fire in Edo era.
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| A stall selling small handmade things made of silk crape. |
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| Next year will be 'the year of the Boar' in the Chinese zodiac. |
Shopping the dolls and thinking about Ningyo-cho in Edo era, Ningyo Market led you to an interesting history of the town.
By Jacky.
