The Hakata doll was created in Fukuoka Japan in the late 19th century by the master craftsman Shinobu Takeda. The doll is based on an ancient Japanese folktale about a poor elderly woman who sells her soul to an evil spirit to obtain great wealth. The woman falls ill and wishes to be with her family. Her wish is granted when she uses her gold coins to buy clothes and food for them, but they die anyway. The master craftsman transformed this story into a beautiful figurine which represents love, affection, and togetherness.