Silver medalist curling team dolls on display in Aichi

The Yomiuri Shimbun

12:39 JST, February 23, 2022

Hina dolls inspired by the Loco Solare women’s curling team that claimed silver at the Beijing Olympics are featured in a display at Kodomo Ningyo Kobo in Takahama, Aichi Prefecture.

Since 2016, a Takahama citizens’ group has been collecting hina dolls no longer used at homes and displaying them every year around March 3 for the Hina Matsuri doll festival.

Curling was chosen as the theme of this year’s display, which features hina wearing headbands and a model ice rink, with some dolls appearing to be sweeping the rink with curling brushes.

Following Loco Solare’s success at the Olympics, the group added silver medals to some of the dolls.

“I hope [the display will] brighten people’s moods,” said Kazue Shimomura, 70, of the citizen’s group.

Featuring 150 dolls, the display is open to the public free of charge until March 6.