Get Acquainted with the Dainty Kokeshi Dolls
Kokeshi are traditional hand-crafted Japanese wooden dolls with origins that can be traced to northern Japan. The dolls have a straight cylindrical body with large round heads. The faces of the kokeshi are painted with simple lines that still convey their various expressions. Since the dolls are hand-painted, each doll is unique; no two kokeshi dolls have identical faces. The body is traditionally coated with wax and usually decorated with floral designs of varying colors.
The bottom of the dolls should bear the signature of the artist. Perhaps the most unique aspect of conventional kokeshi dolls is their lack of arms and legs.
The wood used for kokeshi is specially seasoned and left outdoors for at least a year. Sometimes it’s five years before the wood is deemed suitable to be made into dolls.
The types of wood used for crafting kokeshi are cherry for its rich dark color, mizuno for its soft texture, and Japanese maple (Itaya-kaede) for its versatility.
Kokeshi dolls symbolize the culture of Japan. The Kijiya, or local woodwork artists, makes these dolls with the belief that they will provide a bountiful harvest and the gods will be pleased as children would play with them. Traditional kokeshi dolls from different regions have their own distinct characteristics, defined by their patterns and shapes.
Kokeshi dolls were only produced in six prefectures in Tohoku. The most popular of the kokeshi are the Naruko variety (the specialty of the Naruko Onsen village). The traditional dolls are so popular there that the village’s main street is named Kokeshi Street, with plentiful shops that specialize in kokeshi.
Japanese kokeshi dolls are a much coveted souvenir item nowadays whenever people travel to Japan. Within Japan, they continute to be popular gifts to give to people as a token of friendship, and some even use them as lucky charms. The craftsmanship and uniqueness that goes into every kokeshi doll makes it truly an art form.