Japanese vintage dolls, samurai sets, hand made pottery to be showcased in Hyderabad

Looking for vintage collectibles in Hyderabad? Japanese vintage goes beyond dolls, with samurai sets, silk kimonos, ceramics and more.

Cherish Vintage Finds by Madurai-based collector Abhinav Vinayakh Shankarnarayanan will display his personal collection of Japanese vintage collectibles at the Na Ra Japan Fest on October 11.

The one-day festival will offer a glimpse into Japanese art, culture, food and language, with performances, workshops, a language competition, Japanese doll-making demonstrations and a puppet show. Abhinav will participate in the festival for the second consecutive year.

A collector for more than a decade, Abhinav began acquiring unique pieces during work trips, starting with artefacts and porcelain dolls. Growing up around traditional Indian art and antiques at his grandparents’ home, he says he was drawn to the way they were preserved and maintained. His collection eventually became part of his home décor, and when friends and family began asking to buy similar pieces, Cherish Vintage Finds took shape as a business three years ago.

Among the highlights of his exhibition are vintage Japanese kimonos and clutches made from kimono silk. He will also showcase traditional, hand-carved wooden Kokeshi dolls and intricately crafted Hina dolls associated with Hina Matsuri—Japan’s annual Doll Festival. Drawing a parallel with South India’s Dasara Golu tradition, Abhinav says the dolls are arranged to narrate stories.

Abhinav Vinayakh Shankarnarayanan 
| Photo Credit:
Special Arrangement

Abhinav explained, “Hina dolls feature intricately embroidered silk costumes, delicate gofun-finished faces and inset glass eyes. The Kokeshi Dolls are traditional handcrafted wooden dolls, known for their distinctive shapes, hand-painted designs and regional styles.”

The collection also includes miniature samurai armour replicas, complete with helmets, face guards, body armour and footwear, along with Japanese ceramics like Arita and Imari porcelain, Tokoname teapots, Yunomi tea cups, vintage plates, bowls sourced from different kilns across Japan. Each piece bears the maker’s mark and reflects traditional Japanese craftsmanship.

Rama Bhadra Boddupalli, co-founder of Na Ra Japan, formerly the Hyderabad-Japan Association, says the festival will also focus on cultural and educational exchanges. “Apart from the stalls for visitors, there will be booths to explore opportunities for youth through interactions with universities from Japan and India.”

Handmade ceramic lamp by Jojo’s Pottery Studio

Sanjana Sagar of Hyderabad-based Jojo’s Pottery Studio will be showcasing her collection of hand-built ceramic collection. It includes functional pottery like mugs, plate, pasta dishes, bowls serves and a lot more. Also on display will be rain catchers, vases and decoratives pieces.

The programme includes traditional Japanese martial arts demonstrations, a puppet show by Miyoshi, Indian dance performances and a piano recital featuring Japanese and Indian musicians. Visitors can also explore ikebana, bonsai and a speech contest.

The organisers expect around 7,000 visitors at the festival.

The fest is not ticketed, open for all, Cyber Gardens, Hitec City, Hyderabad, Oct 11, 8.45am onwards.