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Since World War II, Japanese kokeshi dolls have become tremendously popular with American tourists—so much so, they’re now produced almost exclusively for Westerners. Kokeshi dolls are characterized by their lack of arms and legs, as well as their brightly painted garb in floral designs and geometric patterns. The process used for making these cylindrical wooden dolls is not unlike that employed to make legs for chairs or tables.
It’s likely that kokeshi originated in rural Tohoku, in northeast Japan, during the Bunka-Bunsei eras (1804-29) of the Edo Period. The farmers there, coping with long, snowbound winter nights, probably made the dolls from scraps of maple, dogwood, or magnolia using a pulley lathe. These dolls were possibly intended as good luck talisman, designed to bring fertility or bountiful harvests. Later, they were sold to tourists at Tohoku spas, and also given to console mothers who had lost a child through miscarriage or other misfortune.
Eventually, the kokeshi—made in 5-, 7-, and 10-inch sizes—became a toy for children’s play. It wasn’t until the 1920s that adults began to value these Japanese dolls as collector’s items. This renewed interest in kokeshi encouraged artisans to produce them in a much wider variety of sizes, from itty-bitty to huge...
After the war, when the U.S. occupied Japan, the wives and girlfriends of U.S. soldiers were particularly attracted to the cuteness of the kokeshi. Wood turners near Tokyo, having moved from kick lathes to mechanical ones, began churning them out for Westerners visiting tourist sites all over the island nation. These turners got creative with the form, making kokeshi in non-traditional shapes. They made “tochigi,” or kokeshi-headed toothpicks, and replicas of the Seven Lucky Gods clad in wild get-ups.
These later variations are of no interest to most Japanese, who prefer the handmade antique dolls with their distinct characteristics particular to their region of origin—Tsuchiyu, Yajiro, Togatta, Narugo, Hijiori, Sakunami, Zao, Kijiyama, Nambu, and Tsugaru. Some of the most esteemed kokeshi artisans include Sakurai Shoji and Ito Shoichi in Naruko; Ni'iyama Hisashi and the late Sato Yoshizo and his son Fumio in Yahiro; and Suzuki Shoji and Satomi Matsuhiro at Yamagata.
When looking for an antique kokeshi doll, keep in mind the balance of the body—a good doll is not too top-heavy. Collectors also favor dolls with expressive facial features applied with a calligraphy brush and an eye-pleasing balance of color that doesn’t appear too faded.
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Recent News: Kokeshi Dolls
Source: Google News
MIX OF THE WEEK: COMPA
Mixmag, May 21stFollowing 12" cuts via his own WXWL label as well as Boka and Kokeshi, he's been newly signed to Mala's Deep Medi imprint, perhaps the most revered seal of approval in true-skool dubstep circles. It's testament to Compa's creativity that his Mix Of The...Read more
Skosh (a little) Japanese:
East County Gazette, May 19thDisplays will be staged around campus and will include three-dimensional origami, bonsai, pottery, handmade paper, hariko dolls (washi paper maché) and kokeshi dolls (cylinder sculpture). Activities for children will include kamishibai (paper theater),...Read more
Summer Season
Palm Beach, May 15th"Wood Be Kindred Spirits: The Kokeshi Dolls of Bob Brokop" displays one of the largest collections of kokeshi (Japanese dolls handmade from wood with delicately painted faces) in the United States. "Tanabata: Japan's Star Festival - Views of Tanabata...Read more
Traditional Japanese Dolls Exhibited in Algiers
magharebia.com, May 1stThe Japanese Embassy in Algiers is holding an exhibition of kokeshi traditional Japanese wooden dolls at the Arts Centre of the Palace of Rais until 9 June. The dolls on display are part of a centuries-old Japanese art form, with some of them dating...Read more
A world in pieces: the ceramic mosaics of Cleo Mussi
Telegraph.co.uk, April 26thMosaic mutants with teacup bodies and parrot heads, inspired by the Japanese mania for mobile phone charms, sit alongside more traditional wall-mounts of kokeshi dolls and shrines. 'Japan is such a modern culture, and yet it's got such an ancient...Read more
Art auction, real estate and wine: This week's Scout List
Globe and Mail, April 24thBloom: The Nikkei National Museum & Cultural Centre in Burnaby is holding its annual Bloom art auction Thursday night in support of the centre's efforts to promote Japanese-Canadian heritage. This year, Bloom is all about Kokeshi – wee wooden dolls a...Read more
Vancouver events: James Blake, Tattoo Show, Hannah Georgas and more
Vancouver Sun, April 24thThe museum dedicated to Japanese culture asked 100 artists — Sonny Assu, Brendan Tang and Roy Kiyooka among them — to paint traditional kokeshi dolls for the silent action at its fifth annual fundraiser and the results are outstanding. The party also...Read more
Kokeshi Matches
The Dieline (blog), April 23rdKokeshi Match started as a product of pure creativity. In 1994, as a part of a group exhibition, Kumi Hirasaka drew faces of KOKESHI (traditional Japanese wooden dolls) on each match by hand. In 2000, Kokeshi Matches are mass produced and later...Read more