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Rus: Matryushka the Nesting Dolls

© Dr. Donald R. Houston

Matryushka: Nesting Dolls of the Rus
By: Dr. Donald Houston

In today's world there is one symbol of the Rus that almost all women and girls know about outside of the Rus, it is the matryoshka dolls. These dolls became part of the Rus craft-art scene around the turn of the last century primarily at the end of the Russian-Japanese War. As a craft-art they are fairly old in Japan. Some of the Russian prisoners of war learned the craft-art from their captors and once they were home they developed into a uniquely Rus craft-art.

Various sizes, shapes, paint schemes and other unique touches have made these dolls into true collectibles. There are dolls with as few as 3 pieces to them as well as some that have in excess of 25 pieces to them. Some of these dolls are fairly plain with a bare minimum of decoration and others are very ornately decorated. Some are only painted and some are incised, engraved, burned & carved as well as painted.

Russian nesting dolls also known by these synonyms - nested dolls, stacking dolls or matryoshki as it is sounded in Russian - probably, the most popular Russian national souvenir. Global fame was won by the Russian matryoshka far abroad. At all large exhibitions, fairs, festivals held in different counties of the world, these amusing and cheerful nesting dolls were and indeed are among the most fascinating exhibits. Also it seems, that matroyshka has come to us from a gray-haired antiquity, from the world of legends and fairy tales. Actually this wooden doll is only about 100-110 years old.

Some of the returning Russian prisoners of war brought a funny Japanese figurine of a good-nature bold headed old man, Fukuruma to a traditional meeting of Morozov family. This doll consisted of some other figurines nestled one inside of another. This doll was composed of 7 figures. There was a legend that the first doll of this type was made on Honshu Island where the Fukuruma camefrom was made by an unknown Russian monk.

Although matryoshka dolls, are famous all over the world, books about this craft-art phenomena are somewhat difficult to find. If you were to look at sites dedicated to Russian souvenirs and crafts, you will see that the various stories about nesting dolls are very contradictory. This is so because the authors of sites had no relaible materials on this subject. It is my hope that this article will add fact and knowledge to the understanding of the matryoshka's roots and history.

The copyright of the article Rus: Matryushka the Nesting Dolls in Russian Culture is owned by Dr. Donald R. Houston. Permission to republish Rus: Matryushka the Nesting Dolls in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.