Kokeshi dolls are wooden doll toys made by turning on a potter's wheel. It is also a symbol of wishing for a bountiful harvest, good luck, and appreciation for craftsmanship and culture.
［Characteristics of Kokeshi]
A typical Kokeshi doll has a simple structure with only a round head and a cylindrical body. The face and hairstyle are depicted on the head, and the kimono is depicted on the torso, and the expressions, patterns, and shape of the torso vary depending on the region of origin. It reflects the unique style of its maker and shows where it was made.
・When the kokeshi is finished
- The logs are felled, dried and then cut to size.
- After carving the body with a potter's wheel, a hole is made in the body to insert the neck.
- While turning the potter's wheel, use friction to fit the head into the body.
- Draw the pattern on the face and body and finish by applying wax.
Because everything is done by one craftsman and all this work is done by one person, each Kokeshi has the same individuality, and because everything is done by hand, no two Kokeshi are alike.Only one Kokeshi doll will be born in the world.
［History of Kokeshi］
1,300 years ago, during the reign of Emperor Shotoku (718-770), one million small wooden pagodas were placed in temples throughout the country to pray for the peace and security of the country.
This piece, also known as the ``Million Tower'' because one million pieces were made, is said to be the oldest kokeshi made by a wood turner. Wooden towers, the predecessors of kokeshi dolls, were made by craftsmen called kijishi.
Later, while woodturners made trays and bowls, they also made wooden toys such as ``tops'' for boys and ``kokeshi'' for girls.
The oldest known souvenir kokeshi dolls are those made in Togatta, Miyagi Prefecture. Many of the hot spring visitors at that time were tired from farming, so they visited the hot springs to soothe their tired bodies. The kokeshi dolls made by the woodworkers were believed to be good luck charms associated with mental and physical recovery, a good harvest, and the god of the mountains, and it is said that many hot spring visitors began to take them home as souvenirs. Kokeshi dolls were valued not only as toys but also as lucky charms. Naruko, Tsuchiyu, and Togatta are known as the "three great birthplaces of kokeshi.
・Origin of Kokeshi
When kokeshi dolls first appeared, there was no common name for them, such as ``Kideko'' because they were made of wood, ``Kogesu'' which came from the poppy doll, and ``Kiboko'' from the ``Hoko'' doll used to ward off evil spirits. It seems that it was called by different names in different places. In addition, it was written as ``Kokeshi'' or ``Kokeshi'' because it resembled the hairstyle of children in the Edo period, called keshibosu. In 1940, kokeshi craftsmen and other related parties met and unified the term ``kokeshi'' into three hiragana characters.
・Types of Kokeshi
There are many types of kokeshi dolls in Tohoku alone.
The style can be identified by the hot spring area or the place of production.
１）Miyagi
There are four styles: Naruko, Togatta, Yajiro, and Sakunami, each with different characteristics and designs.
２）Fukushima
Has an ``earth bath'' style and is characterized by bright red accents. The body part has a distinctive border pattern, and the combination of lines of different thicknesses creates a bright and wonderful pattern.
３）Yamagata
There are three styles: Hijiori, Zao and Yamagata, and it is best known for its very elaborate floral designs.
４）Aomori
The head and body of Tsugaru Kokeshi dolls are made from the same type of wood, and are often decorated with a picture of a daruma doll or peonies.
５）Iwate
Nanbu'' was characterized by leaving the doll's body naked so that the wood grain could be seen, but later designs were added. It is characterized by the dizzying movement of the neck, and the body has a variety of shapes.
６）Akita
The ``Kijiyama'' style is a kimono with a distinctive apron pattern that includes plum, igata, and striped patterns.
Kokeshi dolls are an important tradition in Japan, where each piece is handmade by craftsmen who cherish the warmth of wood and the Japanese character.