Mensho menyakiyozaemon was a doll maker who was born in Kyoto in the middle of the Edo era. He used the name of "Menya", because he had been a Noh mask maker. He made a head of dolls. His excellent style attracted the attention of the Emperor Meiji. He was conferred the title of "Mensho" by the Emperor and used this name from 1709. Mensho…£ changed this name to "mensho." mensho11made the doll Emperor and Empress by order of the Imperial Palace. mensho12 made the Chigo-ningyo (infant doll) for the Houka-boko (the festival float mounted with a decorative halberd). mensho13 made the statue of Ushiwaka and Benkei on the Gojo Bridge. At the present, Mr. Junzo Okamoto succeed to the name. He is mensho14. He maintains the traditional technique of this family as a doll maker. BACK