Mingeiarts Traditional Kokeshi Dolls ©

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 prompted the "birth" of the Sosaku movement, which allowed for more creative liberties on the part of the contemporary artist/carver.

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RARE Vintage Japanese Traditional Kokeshi | Tsuchiyu-Kei  by Shinogi, Toshio (1931-)RARE Vintage Japanese Traditional Kokeshi | Tsuchiyu-Kei  by Shinogi, Toshio (1931-)
Vintage Traditional Nakanosowa Takobozu Kokeshi by Master Fumio, Kakizaki (1947-)Vintage Traditional Nakanosowa Takobozu Kokeshi by Master Fumio, Kakizaki (1947-)
Vintage Japanese ‘Takobozu’ Nakanosawa Kokeshi by Saito, TokujuVintage Japanese ‘Takobozu’ Nakanosawa Kokeshi by Saito, Tokuju
Traditional Vintage, Rare Tsugaru-Kei (‘Nuruyu’) Kokeshi by Moriharu, KitayamaTraditional Vintage, Rare Tsugaru-Kei (‘Nuruyu’) Kokeshi by Moriharu, Kitayama
Vintage Traditional Tsuchiyu Kokeshi by Watanabe, TetsuoVintage Traditional Tsuchiyu Kokeshi by Watanabe, Tetsuo
Unusual Japanese Kijiyama Kokeshi Container with Child by Takahashi, YujiUnusual Japanese Kijiyama Kokeshi Container with Child by Takahashi, Yuji
Vintage Traditional Kijiyama Kokeshi by Kyutaro, OguraVintage Traditional Kijiyama Kokeshi by Kyutaro, Ogura
Vintage Traditional Yajirou Kokeshi by Endo TsutumoVintage Traditional Yajirou Kokeshi by Endo Tsutumo
Vintage Japanese Traditional Tougatta Kokeshi by Nagao, MasayoshiVintage Japanese Traditional Tougatta Kokeshi by Nagao, Masayoshi
Unusual Japanese ‘Rattler’ Yajirou Kokeshi by Niiyama, Keimi (b.1925)Unusual Japanese ‘Rattler’ Yajirou Kokeshi by Niiyama, Keimi (b.1925)
Vintage Yajirou Traditional Kokeshi by Niiyama FukuoVintage Yajirou Traditional Kokeshi by Niiyama Fukuo
Vintage Japanese Traditional Tsuchiyu Family Kokeshi by Watanabe, KazuoVintage Japanese Traditional Tsuchiyu Family Kokeshi by Watanabe, Kazuo
Traditional Vintage Nambu/Kina Kina Family Kokeshi by Suzumago, JitsutarouTraditional Vintage Nambu/Kina Kina Family Kokeshi by Suzumago, Jitsutarou
Vintage Nambu KinaKina Traditional Kokeshi by  Suzumago, JitsutarouVintage Nambu KinaKina Traditional Kokeshi by  Suzumago, Jitsutarou
Vintage Nambu Hanamaki Traditional Nambu/Kina-Kina-Kei Kokeshi by Sasaki, KakuheiVintage Nambu Hanamaki Traditional Nambu/Kina-Kina-Kei Kokeshi by Sasaki, Kakuhei
KokeshiVintage Nambu/Kina-Kina Traditional Kokeshi by Sasaki, Kakuhei
Vintage Japanese Traditional Narugo Kokeshi by Yusa, FukujuVintage Japanese Traditional Narugo Kokeshi by Yusa, Fukuju