Hōko (doll) facts for kids
A hōko is a special kind of soft doll from Japan. People traditionally gave these dolls to young women, especially those who were pregnant. The dolls were meant to protect both the mother and her unborn child. The word hōko means "crawling child" in Japanese.
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Hōko Dolls: Ancient Protectors
What Are Hōko Dolls?
Hōko dolls were usually made from soft silk fabric. They were often stuffed with cotton. Sometimes, they even had real human hair! These dolls could be made for both boys and girls. They were not just toys. They were seen as protectors.
The History and Traditions of Hōko Dolls
In the past, hōko dolls were given to children soon after they were born. They were also given on special days shortly after birth. When a woman became pregnant, she would receive a new hōko doll. This doll was meant to protect her and her baby throughout the pregnancy.
The traditions for hōko dolls were different for boys and girls:
- Boys would keep their dolls until they turned 15 years old. At this age, they would take their dolls to a shrine. This was a special ceremony where the dolls were "consecrated," meaning they were given up in a sacred way.
- Girls would keep their dolls until they got married. When they married, they would give up their hōko dolls.
Hōko Dolls Today
Today, hōko dolls are still a part of Japanese culture. Some modern hōko dolls have even been created with new technology. For example, some have been designed to help monitor babies, combining old traditions with new inventions.
