Over many centuries, art has played an extremely dominant role in Japanese culture. These forms of artwork ranged from everything from pottery to clay figurines. Overall, most Japanese art was and still is considered to be of great importance in Japanese history. However, the most intriguing and unique art form were the Isho-ningyo and Iki-ningyo dolls, otherwise known as "fashion dolls" and "living dolls". Both the Isho-ningyo and the Iki-ningyo were just two of the vast assortment of dolls created by the famous Japanese craftsman Goyo Hirata, as objects of "luxurious indulgence". The Isho-ningyo type or Iko-ningyo type Kintaro doll illustrates the significant advances in Japanese doll art throughout history with new technologies and compositions attributed to each period. Japanese art has been practiced since 4,000 BC, otherwise known as the Jomon period. The Jomon is particularly known for creating the earliest forms of Japanese pottery. Although the Jomon period was thought to produce relatively simple works of art, the Jomon people were also the first to show the evolution of Japanese dolls. Essentially, this gradual step towards this precious art form was the Dogu, humanoid figures. The art of the Jomon period gradually advanced over time, from the first creation of simple pottery, to storage containers, and finally to the Dogu. Primarily, the technologies used during this time period consisted of clay, while the composition also consisted of simplistic designs such as coiling. This Japanese time period demonstrates the true beginning of t...... middle of paper ...... due to the overall historical context and basic artistic characteristics. Although Isho-ningyo and Iki-ningyo are not part of the modern era, they still show significant advances that will eventually point the way to modern Japanese art. These particular dolls display aspects of modern art characteristics due to their complexity in structure and overall appearance. Each Japanese period contributes advances toward the qualities that make up modern Japanese art, but the particular artworks of Isho-ningyo and Iki¬ningyo are the greatest contributors. Works Cited "Japanese Art". Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia, 6th edition, (2011): 1-2.BALFOUR, R and S BALFOUR. "Japanese dolls". Arts of Asia, 6.4 (1976): 67-74.Rimer, J. Thomas. "High Culture in the Showa Period". Maze, 119.3 (1990): 265- 278.