kokeshi

Kokeshi are traditional Japanese wooden dolls originating in the Tōhoku region. They are identified by a simple cylindrical body, a round head, and a lack of arms or legs. The facial features are typically minimal, with painted eyes and mouth, and the body is decorated with bright floral or geometric patterns.

Historically, kokeshi emerged in the late Edo period near hot springs, where woodworkers made them as souvenirs for visitors. They were sold at inns and markets and gradually diversified into regional styles as craftspeople adapted designs to local traditions and materials. In the Meiji era and beyond, production broadened beyond individual workshops, evolving into a recognized form of folk art.

Construction and design are distinctive. Traditional kokeshi are carved on a lathe from a single piece of wood, yielding a simple silhouette of a head atop a stubby, unadorned body. The surface is smoothed, then painted with a limited palette, often featuring flowers, lines, and kimono motifs. The head is proportionally larger than the body, reinforcing the doll’s characteristic profile. Finishing may include lacquer and multiple coats of paint, with variations reflecting regional preferences and craftsman style.

Regional varieties are a hallmark of kokeshi, with well-known styles such as Naruko and Tsugaru distinguished by differences in head shape, body proportion, and decorative patterns. In the late 20th and early 21st centuries, contemporary artists expanded the form into “creative” or modern kokeshi, experimenting with form and color while preserving the traditional core.

Today, kokeshi are valued as folk art and cultural symbols. They are collected, exhibited in museums, and still produced by craftspeople who pass techniques through generations.