"Hina Ningyo-ten," an exhibition displaying Hina doll sets of historic value, chosen from dolls donated for memorial services to Saikyoji Temple, Sakamoto 5-chome, Otsu City, Shiga Prefecture opened on February 15 in the temple's Omoteshoin hall.

The temple has as many as 1,500 Hina dolls from across Japan. A selection have been put on display every year for the last ten years, including rare doll sets mainly from the late Edo Period to the early Showa Period.

In the exhibition hall, there are 25 doll sets, with 200 dolls in total. Amongst these are splendid "Goten Bina" dolls, which were popular from the Taisho Period to the Showa Period, Hina doll sets with two male dolls, which were only made in limited areas of Japan, and dolls constructed by nobles in the late Edo Period.

A sightseeing housewife visiting the temple from Toyama City said, "I really sensed the Hina doll culture has indeed become a part of our everyday life." The exhibition will continue until March 3, and there is an entry fee.