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Kokeshi (こけし, 小芥子) are simple wooden Japanese dolls with no arms or legs that have been crafted for more than 150 years as a toy for children. Originally from the Tohoku region in northern Honshu, kokeshi are handmade from wood, having a simple trunk and head with a few thin, painted lines to define the face.
Oct 11, 2021 · Kokeshi dolls are Japanese dolls carved out of wood, hand-painted and originating from the province of Tôhoku. They are major representatives of Japanese craftsmanship and constitute truly unique creations.
Jun 24, 2021 · What is Kokeshi? Kokeshi is a handmade wooden doll. The art of kokeshi originates from the hot spring mountain villages in the Tōhoku region of northeastern Japan. The first examples of kokeshi appeared during the end of the Edo period (1603-1868 CE), when craftsmen would make the simple wooden forms as toys for children. With long, limbless ...
Aug 29, 2019 · While there are a wide variety of contemporary kokeshi dolls—from a kokeshi of Yoda from Star Wars to a wooden head and trunk version of the polka-dot loving artist Yayoi Kusama—there are only 11 traditional styles of kokeshi from all over Japan but Miyagi Prefecture boasts being the home of 5 of these styles: Naruko, Togatta, Yajiro ...
These wooden toys are often painted with vivid colors. Kokeshi dolls reflect the unique style of their makers which signifies where they are made. Aside from looking like Japanese women, men, and children in traditional wear, a key characteristic of Kokeshi dolls is their lack of arms and legs.
May 13, 2024 · More than just charming souvenirs, kokeshi dolls embody a unique blend of playfulness and symbolism. Explore the history of these delightful wooden figures, from their origins as children’s toys to their enduring role as cultural icons and symbols of hope and good fortune.
Kokeshi are 'created' by artists and craftspeople, and have features and styles unique to their own particular artist, craftsperson, local culture and region. The majority of Traditional Kokeshi come from the Tohoku region, while Creative, (Sosaku), Kokeshi were, and are, primarily made in Gunma prefecture.
