Russian Nesting Dolls - The Beginning

According legend, first nested doll prototype appeared in Russia in the late 19th century (believed to be year 1890), it was figurine of bold headed old man, Buddhist sage by the name of Fukuruma, on the island of Honshu, Japan.

According Hakone Town Office, Japan, products such as "Shichifukujin" and "Irokawaridaruma" have been created from Junitamago. "Shichifukujin" was shipped to Russia at the end of the 19th century, becoming a folkcraft called Matryoshika, or a doll having children. It is thought that Russian missionaries from the Russian church which used to be in Tohnosawa visited Hakone for the summer and took "Junitamago" back to Russia as souvenirs. Let us explain what Shichifukujin mean.

According Japan sources -

Japan`s Shichifukujin--usually identified as Ebisu, Daikokuten, Bishamonten, Benzaiten, Fukurokuju, Jurojin, and Hotei--are traditionally believed to bring good fortune and happiness to people. The seven have long been depicted in painting, sculpture, song, and dance and began to be worshiped as a group several hundred years ago. The practice of making a meguri, or pilgrimage, to shrines and temples of all the Shichifukujin during the New Year season became popular during the Edo period (1603-1868). Shichifukujin Meguri are still popular everywhere in Japan--including the Fukagawa and Kameido districts of Tokyo`s Koto-ku. But Russian nesting doll got another name and had a different meaning from the very beginning.

At the end of 19th century at Russia Children`s Education Workshop at Abramtzevo village near Moscow was established. Abramtzevo workshop started to produce dolls in traditional ethnic dress. That workshop collected dolls from all over the country and from countries abroad. Dolls series was designed to entertain childs and to give them knowledge of other ethnicities.

It is believed that Fukuruma doll inspired Russian artist S.V. Malyutin to produce first "Matrioshka" (nesting doll in Russian) doll. But Russian doll was different from original Japanese one. At Russia it became toy, game for childs, it depicted the chain of life, and got woman name.

It is the diminutive form of Matrona or Matriona. Therefore, Matroska, should be a feminine noun. "Matrona" is Bysantee and ancient Rome originated name, which means "well respected woman".

Matrioshka appeared as synthesis of Buddhist sculpture, pre-Christian toys of Russia and Christian beliefs of 19th century.

Original, ancient Russian dolls was produced from solid piece of wood and depicted ancient - pre-Christian gods. That dolls was in fact, miniature ancient Indo-Iranian pagans, they depicted Horses, Cows, Birds, Humans. Once Bysantee Empire style Christianity appeared in Russia at VIII-IX century, that type of dolls was transformed into wooden figures of animals and Heroes of fairy tales, cause " pagan toys " was not Ok to use anymore. Russian Matrioshka produced from solid piece of wood too, but became nested, and depicts people, fairy tales heroes or animals - same as many centuries ago, but now - with Buddhist sence, nested.

Nested doll was very popular toy for childs cause it helps to develop motility of fingers, imagination, representation about the sizes and colors.

"Matrioshka" nested doll spelled differently outside Russia. Exactly, According to the spelling mat + ros (as in albatross OR as in metros) + ka (as in Alaska) [mę̀trɔ́skə, mę̀tróuskə] According to the original Russian word ma as in machine; tro as in tr in try + Yo in New York, but shorter and narrower; ska as in sh in ship + ka in Alaska [mətrʲóʃkə] ----

Article provided by Russian nesting dolls internet shop: http://www.rus-sell.com

In The News:

pen paper and inkwell


cat break through


Jewelry Insurance - Hints and Tips So You Dont Get Ripped Off

As crime and drug use increases, the risks involved in... Read More

Why Do I (You) Collect?

I just got back from the vet with my cat... Read More

Weaving Photographs and the Use of a Collage to Give Your Scrapbooks Artistic Flare

For more dramatic results from your photographs, trying weaving two... Read More

Organize 1000?s Of Photos Easily

The easiest way is to start right from the beginning,... Read More

50 Ideas to Get Organized and Enjoy Your Scrapbooking Hobby

Scrapbooking is a wonderful hobby! Besides being relaxing and fun,... Read More

It is Possible to Create All Kinds of Items with Hobby Metal Casting

Hobby Metal Casting enables the home metal craft worker to... Read More

What Do I Need to Start Scrapbooking?

The best thing about scrapbooking is that although there are... Read More

Cupcake Candles

With candle making, there are hardly any limits. You can... Read More

Organize That Stash!

Do you control your stash or does it control you?... Read More

Woodworking: Protection When Working With Wood - Ignoring Could Potentially Harm Your Health Or Kill

Woodworking: Basic Safety TipsWoodworking can be a dangerous undertaking if... Read More

Endless Possibilites With Custom Printed Lanyards

Custom printed lanyards are an extremely popular item and are... Read More

Production and Pricing of Craft Show Items

This is where you can really make or break your... Read More

Wax Pencils, Stickers, and Rubber Stamping in Your Scrapbooks

Another important writing implement for scrapbooking is a wax pencil.... Read More

Are You Making Money At Craft Shows?

If you are involved in the crafts business, and are... Read More

Airbrushing Does Not Have to be All Disappointment, Heartache, and Bloody Hard Work!

A smart, but irritating man once told me that Airbrushing... Read More

Pump Up Your Life with Scrapbook Pages of Certainty

If you can voice enthusiastically that scrapbooking is your passion,... Read More

How to Make a Simple Gemstone Necklace

With gemstone beads, every bead is precious. Every bead is... Read More

Christmas Gifts Kids Can Make

Christmas is a time of giving and receiving. Even kids... Read More

Functional Pottery Makes a Great Gift, Plain and Simple

Are you looking for something unique to give a friend... Read More

Collecting Depression Glass ? Where to Start

Okay, so you've been bitten by the Depression Glass bug,... Read More

Finding The Best Display Case For Your Treasures

Maybe you have a bunch of collectibles sitting in your... Read More

How to Use Textured Paper and Book Jacket Backgrounds to Give Your Scrapbook Dimension

Textured paper can add extra dimension to your scrapbooking page.... Read More

Civil War Uniforms: 5 Tips on Making Your Trousers Last Forever!

Are your pants wearing out too fast?Does it look like... Read More

A Brief History of Candles

For centuries man's progress has been lighted by candles. However,... Read More

Rubber Stamping: From Maya Indians to Scrapbooking

Who would have thought that your scrapbooking and card making... Read More

Ideas for Making Gift Baskets

Do you want to give gifts to your friends or... Read More

Coin Collecting ? A Fun Hobby

Over the years, collecting coins has grown from being just... Read More

The ABCs of Ceramics

Ceramics can be delicate and decorative or unrefined and utilitarian.... Read More

Sell Hobby Items by Mail

You can, if you are ambitious, start a Mail Order... Read More

Introduction to Hobby Metal Casting for the Practical Home Mechanic - Engineer

Your enjoyment will start right from the moment you start... Read More

Woodworking Tools: Right Selection And Care Will Save You Money, Part 6

Woodworking: Tools Of The Trade, Part 6 - Finishing EquipmentA... Read More

Embroidery Designs Digitizing Software

Embroidery Magic 2 software program was created with multiple function... Read More

A Scrapbook Page To Celebrate Your Childs First Haircut

Here's a great idea for making a special 'first haircut'... Read More