120207-0139-PP - Group of Children

A group of children posing in the studio.

The girl on the left is holding a den-den daiko (でんでん太鼓), a Japanese pellet drum. It was used in religious ritual, as a children’s toy and at festival stalls.

Two girls are carrying babies and are most likely komori nursemaids. Komori were young girls from poor families who were hired by the year to aid middle and upper class mothers in the care of their infant.

In addition to carrying the baby around, the komori would also assist a little with the household work. Komori received food, lodging, clothing, and occasionally some money.

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