Every year in Japan, families celebrate the happiness and healthy growth of their daughters with a magnificent display of traditional ornamental dolls in their homes. The dolls, called Hina-Ningyo, are often passed down from generation to generation, and are put up in time for Girls’ Day on March 3rd.

The Hina-Ningyo represent the Emperor, Empress, musicians, and other members of the traditional court during the Heian Period (794-1185). And in part due to the fact that recent decades have seen a decrease in families that still display the dolls, many artists in Japan have begun creating beautiful Hina-Ningyo that possess both traditional and modern qualities to attract the younger generations.

As for Hina-Ningyo artist Chi-Mama of Usagi No Iori, she has turned the members of the Heian court into adorable bunnies dressed in traditional attire, making the typical Hina-Ningyo more appealing to young girls and anyone else who simply loves the furry, long-eared animals.

The Bunny Hina-Ningyo have achieved widespread popularity in Japan as well as in other countries, and her international audience is especially in love with the colorful, kawaii rabbits that still reflect the past centuries of this traditional Japanese culture.

Each and every detail of the bunnies are handmade, and most are custom made for each client. Naturally, many of Chi-Mama’s fans include families who have bunnies at home, and they often request that the dolls be made to look like their beloved pets.

Aside from their endearing charm, Chi-Mama’s Bunny Hina-Ningyo sets also take up very little space. Complete, traditional Hina-Ningyo sets are large but delicate, and it can be quite cumbersome finding room for them in smaller homes. But these little bunnies are compact enough for easy display, and it’s also a plus that they’re light and soft.

Chi-Mama regularly participates in events like Tokyo Design Festa where fans can see her works up close. Head over to her website to stay updated on this very special artist.