Vintage Traditional Kokeshi Dolls

The world is drawn to the beauty and simplicity of these "Wooden Treasures of Japan" © (2005). The original, Traditional Kokeshi was created as early as 1600 to the 1800s, by the members of eleven families.  Since the popularity of Kokeshi dolls spread all over Japan but specifically in the Tohoku region certain styles can be traced from the onsen they correspond to and the location where they were created. 

 In Miyagi alone, there are four styles — namely Naruko, Togatta, Yajirou, and Sakunami — that have their distinct designs and features. Fukushima has two styles, Nakanosawa and Tsuchiyu, both recognizable by their vivid red accents. Yamagata, on the other hand, has three styles — Hijori, Zao, and Yamagata — best known for their heavy floral designs. For Aomori, there’s the Tsugaru style, where the head and the body of the Kokeshi doll are made from the same type of wood and are often decorated with a drawing of a peony. Iwate’s Nanbu style was initially known for leaving the doll’s body bare to allow appreciation for the wood’s natural grain. However, painted designs were adapted over time. And lastly, Akita, produced the Kijiyama style which is most recognizable for its striped kimono designs. However, some designs also feature floral patterns.

Each family developed different graphic patterns, face and hair details, and silhouettes all within a spherical head, and long torso, with no arms or legs. One important fact is that each family and their associated craftsmen required that their design could "never be changed throughout history," for their form was considered the result of a master's craft with a family motif to be honored.

This focused category of traditional woodcarvers (Kiji-shi) represents the major artists within their specific Strain of Kokeshi, and which Mingeiarts began to research and collect over thirty years ago. Shown under each doll are the craftsman's name and any published biographical information. Traditional Kokeshi represented only a small part of the wooden objects such as toys, (tops and mechanical pull toys) produced by craftsmen. Many wooden dolls and toys were not signed because Japanese travelers knew the artists/family. From this date forward, particularly after World War II, dolls began to be signed for domestic and international tourists traveling throughout Japan who were charmed by the dolls' and wanted to know the artist/craftsmen. This prompted the "birth" of the Sosaku movement, which allowed for more creative liberties on the part of the contemporary artist/carver.