MoMA Exclusive: Celebrate the Year of the Wood Snake with these charming, nesting dolls designed by Japanese illustrator Midori Komatsu, known for her pop-surreal illustrations. Said to be the messenger or incarnation of Benzaiten, one of the Seven Lucky Gods, the snake is believed to bring good fortune, and the first four dolls show it carrying auspicious items associated with Benzaiten in order to bring happiness your way: an egg marked with the character for "treasure," a traditional Japanese lute called the biwa, a Daruma doll, and finally a traditional Japanese rice cake used in New Year's celebrations. Since the new year must always hatch from the old one, the final and smallest doll in the set is a golden Horse, helping us put our best foot forward for the Year of the Horse in 2026. Made from natural schima wood, an evergreen native to southeast Asia, the nested set of Happy Snakes Dolls will bring cheer and good luck anywhere you choose to display them: on your desk, side table, mantle, bookshelf or windowsill. Largest doll measures 5.3h x 2.6" diam.
