sorry. only easy explanation.


HISTORY OF IWAKUNI STONE DOLL

stone doll are small natural items attached to stones in the river under Kintai Bridge.

Because the shape is like a doll, it is called stone doll.


A folk tale says : long ago, when Kintai Bridges was constructed, two young girls was offerd as a sacrifice for smooth
constructionof the bridge, and that the stone doll is a rebirth of this girl.

Also, because humen sacrifices were made to protect bridges and castles, these dolls were used as amulets to protect
oneself from accidents, disasters and evils.

Further, they were used as folk toys, and it is said to be one of the three rare toys of Japan. During the latter part of Edo period,
Many poems were composed about this stone doll and a culture Peculiar to Iwakuni was developed.

Originally, this stone doll is a nest made of pebbles and sand collected by an insect of a mole cricket family.
It has been introduced widely throughout the country as a very rare article of folk art of Iwakuni.