HARIKO

Hariko is a traditional Japanese papier-mâché craft, typically in the form of animals or dolls. These handcrafted figures have a long history in Japan, made by layering washi paper over a mold. Once dried, the mold is removed, making the creations lightweight. Originally made as toys or protective talismans, hariko is still crafted by local artisans today, with some now enjoyed as decorative art pieces that reflect Japanese culture and craftsmanship.

Hariko is created in various regions across Japan, but some areas are especially known for their unique history, symbolism and designs. Fukushima, where I’m from, is one of the most well-known regions for hariko. Growing up in such an environment, I’ve always had an interest in making my own hariko dolls.

For me, the beauty of hariko lies in the uniqueness that comes from being handmade. This makes each figure one-of-a-kind, which I believe is a special kind of beauty in a world where so many things are mass-produced. While some makers nowadays partially use machines to create figures more quickly, there are still hariko dolls made fully by hand, with washi paper carefully layered onto the mold. My hariko figures are also fully crafted by hand and they aren’t perfect by today’s beauty standards—they aren’t perfectly smooth or symmetrical—but that’s exactly what makes them special. They embody the essence of wabi-sabi—finding beauty in the simple, imperfect, and natural qualities of each piece.