ComputerHunter.org

 

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







Google News - Top Stories

Ghana Broadcasting Corporation

Soaring speech from Obama, plus some specifics
Christian Science Monitor - 40 minutes ago
The Democratic nominee delivers strongest case yet against McCain campaign, prods Americans to change the direction of the country.
Obama Takes Aim at Bush and McCain With a Forceful Call to Change ... New York Times
After Historic Convention, Political Spotlight Turns to GOP FOXNews
San Francisco Chronicle - San Jose Mercury News - Monsters and Critics.com - Detroit Free Press
all 2,774 news articles


Nigeria: Still On Georgia Invasion
AllAfrica.com - 54 minutes ago
"This is not 1968 and the invasions of Czechoslovakia where Russia can threaten its neighbours, occupy a capital, overthrow a government and get away with it".
Video: UN does have double standards RussiaToday
Russia: G7 Condemnation over Georgia Shows 'Bias' Voice of America
BBC News - Reuters - The Associated Press - PRESS TV
all 6,257 news articles


Times Online

Thai police back off in face of defiant anti-government protesters
Xinhua - 1 hour ago
BANGKOK, Aug. 29 (Xinhua) -- Thai police backed off in face of an defiant protester crowd on Friday after a see-saw battle with anti-government protesters to gain control of the government seat in central Bangkok.
Thai protesters, police scuffle at besieged compound AFP
Thai rail strike pressures government CNN International
Monsters and Critics.com - BBC News - Bloomberg - The Irrawaddy News Magazine
all 2,133 news articles


ABC News

Floods in India May Displace Millions
New York Times - 2 hours ago
By HEATHER TIMMONS and HARI KUMAR NEW DELHI -- Millions of destitute farmers and their families may be displaced for months after severe floods in northern India wiped out crops and homes, leaving hundreds of villages under several feet of water.
Bihar villagers desperate as floods spread Reuters India
Are India's Floods a Manmade Disaster? TIME
CNN - ABC Online - International Herald Tribune - Voice of America
all 452 news articles


Wall Street Journal

Get a diploma, or get drunk? Why lowering the drinking age is a ...
New York Daily News - 3 hours ago
BILL: Well Dave, how do you feel about the presidents of Johns Hopkins, Harvard, Duke and other universities with premier public health programs demanding that the drinking age be lowered to 18?
College Presidents Stand Up for Common Sense? I'll Drink to That Wall Street Journal
Keep the drinking age at 21 San Francisco Chronicle
Press & Sun-Bulletin - UM Maneater - Indiana Statesman - The Ledger
all 120 news articles

Google
 

Copyright © 2006 Computer Hunter - A Division of Arthur´s Job Base