News Discussion

Special Dolls Featuring Top Athletes Unveiled in Tokyo

In Japan, hina dolls are traditionally displayed for Hinamatsuri, or Girls' Day, on March 3. Families use them to pray for the health, happiness, and growth of their daughters.

The long-established doll maker Kyugetsu has added a modern twist to this tradition. Each year, the company creates a special set called Kotoshi no Kitaibina, or "dolls of expectations for the year ahead." It features athletes expected to shine in major events.

Kyugetsu revealed the 2026 lineup on February 4, wishing the athletes success at the Milano Cortina Winter Olympics, which opened on February 6, and the World Baseball Classic (WBC) in March.

The dolls include snowboarder Ayumu Hirano and speed skater Miho Takagi, who competed at the Olympics. Among the other featured dolls are Munetaka Murakami, who joined Major League Baseball's Chicago White Sox this year, figure skater Kaori Sakamoto, and MLB star Shohei Ohtani. The Sakamoto doll holds a pair of skates, while the Ohtani doll carries a bat and ball.

Kyugetsu's President Hisatoshi Yokoyama said, "We paid special attention to the shape of their eyes and mouths to resemble each athlete. We hope their success at the Olympics and WBC will bring joy to households across Japan."

1. 1. athletes 選手
   The athletes trained every morning before school to prepare for the tournament.
2. 2. expect 期待する
   The rain was expected to stop by noon, so they planned a picnic.
3. 4. reveal 公開する
   The teacher revealed the answers after everyone finished the quiz.
4. 3. feature 特集する
   The magazine featured a local artist in its spring issue.
5. 5. resemble 似る
   The two houses resemble each other because they were built by the same designer.

1. 1. What is Hinamatsuri, and on what date is it celebrated?
2. 2. What special set does Kyugetsu create each year?
3. 3. What details did the company pay attention to when making the dolls?
4. 4. Do you like traditions that change with modern times? Why or why not?
5. 5. How can art or crafts make people feel closer to sports or athletes?

老舗人形メーカー「久月」は、2月6日開幕のミラノ・コルティナ冬季五輪や3月のワールド・ベースボール・クラシック（WBC）での活躍を願い、フィギュアスケートの坂本花織選手や米大リーグ、ドジャースの大谷翔平選手らをモデルにしたひな人形を東京都台東区の本社で4日公開した。

同社は毎年、「今年の期待びな」を制作している。五輪に出場のスノーボードの平野歩夢選手、スピードスケートの高木美帆選手らのほか、今年からホワイトソックスで大リーグに挑戦する村上宗隆選手が登場した。

坂本選手はスケート靴を、大谷選手はバットとボールを抱えた姿。横山久俊社長は「それぞれの選手に似せるため、目や口の形に特にこだわった。五輪やWBCで活躍し、お茶の間が明るくなることを期待している」と話した。