The Garden of Zen

History of Kokeshi Wooden Dolls from Japan

One school of thought believes that Kokeshi dolls have their origins in the practice of spiritualist religion. Wooden dolls were thought to contain the spiritual essence of the dead and were often made for honorary remembrance.

The modern history of Japanese Kokeshi dolls began in the latter part of the Edo Era (1603-1867). Originating in the Tohiku region of northern Japan, famous for it’s hot springs and rejuvenating spa waters, Kokeshi Dolls acted as an important source of extra income for local artisans known as Kijiya (which means woodworker in Japanese), who specialised in wood work and the production of household utensils such as trays and wooden bowls. In severe winters these Kijiya craftsmen began making “Kokeshi Dolls” to sell as souvenirs to visitors who frequented the local hot springs. The dolls acted not only as souvenirs but also as massage tools used by the bathers to tap their shoulders whilst enjoying the warming benefits of the hot springs.

The Kokeshi dolls were very simple in design, originally made on hand-powered lathes. Traditional Kokeshi dolls had common characteristics that consisted of a basic cylindrical limbless body and a round head. Though the first dolls might have been unpainted, today most Kokeshi are painted in bright floral designs, kimonos, and other traditional patterns. Colors used were red, yellow and purple. As all the dolls are hand painted, no two faces are alike. This is perhaps the greatest charm of the Kokeshi. Some dolls are whimsical, happy and smiling, while others are serious.

Soon their popularity spread throughout Japan and they became favoured as wooden toys for those unable to afford porcelain dolls. In addition the simple rounded shapes of the dolls lent themselves as early teething rings for young babies.

Kokeshi dolls traditionally represented young girls and they quickly became popular for their depiction of feminine beauty. In addition their simple charm and association with childhood meant that they were often given as gifts when a child was born, as birthday presents or as symbols of remembrance when a child died. In addition Kokeshi Japanese Wooden Dolls were popular with the children of farmers as it was widely thought that they would promise a good harvest, as it was believed that it would create a positive impression on the gods if children played with the dolls.

The woods used for Kokeshi vary. Cherry is distinguished by its darkness. Mizuko or dogwood is softer and used extensively. Itaya-kaede, a Japanese maple is also used. The wood is left outdoors to season for one to five years before it can be used to make a doll. Today, Kokeshi is recognized as one of the traditional folk arts of Japan.

Despite their common features two schools of design exist, Traditional Kokeshi and Creative Kokeshi.

Traditional Kokeshi are for the main part still only produced in the six prefectures of the Tohoku region. The twelve schools of design here all exhibit distinctive features that allow experts to tell exactly where they have been produced and often by whom.

Creative Kokeshi do not follow the traditional designs originating from the Tohoku region and instead have an unstructured inspiration which is completely free in terms of shape and painting, the only traditional constraint being their manufacture by means of the lathe. Unlike traditional kokeshi, they do not display any of their distinctive local colour nor the techniques that had been passed down through the generations. They simply represent the creative thought and ability of the craftsman.

Traditional and Creative crafted dolls have become a cause for celebration in Tohoku and across Japan. Every year, in early September, people gather in Naruko Onsen where craftsmen from across the nation gather to honor Kokeshi in a competition where the number one prize is an award from the Prime Minister.

There are many different styles of Kokeshi, but there is one philosophy that all Kokeshi dolls share, and that is the pursuit of beauty and artistry through simplicity. This philosophy is extolled at the website: http://www.dollsofjapan.co.uk

Ivor Conway has traveled extensively throughout Japan and was charmed by the Japanese art form of Kokeshi. The website, [http://www.dollsofjapan.co.uk], is a global resource intended to further knowledge of these simple but elegant works of art.

 

About the Author

Kokeshi Japan Wooden Dolls – Tiny Dolls in Glass House

Vintage 38 Piece AINU VILLAGE: WOOD CARVING COLLECTION: Kokeshi & Bears $300.00

3 Vintage JAPANESE KOKESHI Dolls LARGE & smaller Heavy Wood MISAKO ARAKI doll $280.00

Vintage Japanese wood doll KOKESHI by Saburo BIG! $250.00

10 Sets 30 Pcs Kokeshi Japanese Dolls Kimono Girl wood $150.00

old SIGNED KOKESHI doll vintage Japanese Japan wood wooden collectible 15cm ✿✿ $124.97

Charm 100PCS Japan Kokeshi Wood Girl Handbag&Cellphone $119.99

Vintage 1950s JAPANESE WOOD LACQUER LIDDED KOKESHI DOLL TRINKET BOWL $105.67

Vintage Wood Dolls Hina Matsuri Kimekomi for Girls day “Creative” Kokeshi $99.00

KOKESHI Set NEW yet Vintage RARE Japanese 8 WOOD Nodder BANKS Instant COLLECTION $99.00

HEAVY 24cm VINTAGE 25yr+ CAMELLIA WOOD JAPANESE KOKESHI DOLL blossom painting $91.19

18″ Vintage Signed Kokeshi Doll Japanese Traditional Decor Wood Wooden Unique $88.88

Hjp/Vintage Japanese wood doll KOKESHI $80.00

VINTAGE LARGE WOOD KOKESHI JAPAN JAPANESE DOLL FIGURE $75.00

BIG 29cm Vintage JAPANESE KOKESHI WOOD & Straw DOLL Geisha Straw Kimono Haori $73.49

Japanese Finely Handcrafted Wood KOKESHI DOLL – girl Signed by artist: KISAKU $69.95

PAIR Vtg KOKESHI Doll Twins FIGURAL VASE Girl Painted Wood Japan Signed Japanese $69.00

8cm VINTAGE 1950s EJIKO JAPANESE WOOD NODDER KOKESHI DOLL baby in a basket $67.05

BIG 25cm Vintage 1980s Japanese KOKESHI DOLL wood by Okamoto Usaburo $67.05

23.5cm VINTAGE JAPANESE BAMBOO Style WOOD NODDER KOKESHI DOLL Signed $67.05

OLD Pre-War Japanese large wood scenic kokeshi doll $65.00

12cm VINTAGE 1970s JAPANESE Wood KOKESHI DOLL geisha daisy flower kimono $62.76

Vintage Japanese wood doll KOKESHI $60.00

Authentic Japanese Creative Wood Kokeshi Doll – HANDMADE IN JAPAN – Best Friends $58.43

Authentic Japanese Creative Wood Kokeshi Doll – HANDMADE IN JAPAN – Lucky Girl $56.85

Authentic Japanese Wood Kokeshi Doll – HANDMADE IN JAPAN – A Bunch Of Flowers $55.27

Beautiful Japanese Tougatta-kei Kokeshi wood doll signed #2 $55.00

13.5cm VINTAGE 45yr+ JAPANESE WOOD ‘Sunlight’ KOKESHI DOLL Flower Mirror Set $52.03

Vintage Japanese wood doll KOKESHI BIG! $50.00

viNtAgE Japanese Wood Handcrafted KOKESHI DOLL – Mino Straw Rush Mat Umbrella $49.95

Japanese Kokeshi Wood Wooden Doll Traditional Japan Kimono 27 cm 11″ Signed $49.95

Authentic Japanese Creative Wood Kokeshi Doll – HANDMADE IN JAPAN – Sari of Cat $47.37

Authentic Japanese Creative Wood Kokeshi Doll – HANDMADE IN JAPAN – Autumn $47.37

Authentic Japanese Creative Wood Kokeshi Doll – HANDMADE IN JAPAN – Smiling Girl $47.37

Japan Japanese Doll #233 Vtg Wood Wooden Sosaku Kokeshi Signed Watanabe Masao $47.00

Nice size wood burned with flowers Japanese kokeshi doll artist signed $45.00

Wonderful Japanese Japan Kokeshi wood doll signed and in original box. $45.00

2 x VINTAGE JAPANESE WOOD COUPLE DOLL SOUVENIR KOKESHI $45.00

Carved Wood Kokeshi Doll Japanese Signed + Box $42.75

Vintage Japanese wood doll KOKESHI $40.00

Vintage Japanese wood doll KOKESHI $40.00

Vintage Japanese wood doll KOKESHI $40.00

Vintage Japanese wood doll KOKESHI $40.00

Vintage Japanese wood doll KOKESHI $40.00

JAPANESE KOKESHI DOLL Painted wood Decor Japan Art Geisha Girl Floral VTG $39.99

LOVELY OLD SIGNED JAPANESE WOOD KOKESHI DOLL 15.5CM $40.77

6.5cm VINTAGE 1950s JAPANESE WOODEN NODDER KOKESHI SAMURAI DOLL handcrafted wood $38.08

JAPANESE WARRIOR CREATIVE KOKESHI CARVED WOOD DOLL $38.22

LARGE WOOD KOKESHI JAPANESE DOLL, BARK KIMONO $35.00

Japanese Kokeshi Oriental Asian Wood-Fur~MY3~Doll $34.99

viNtAgE Japanese Handcrafted Small Wood KOKESHI DOLL – Woman with Drum $34.95

VERY OLD JAPANESE KOKESHI WOOD NODDER DOLL PAINTED $32.22

viNtAgE Japanese Birch Wood Handcrafted KOKESHI DOLL $31.96

Kokeshi Doll Red Kimono Flower Wood 18.5cm JAPAN #14 $30.99

Vintage Japanese Wood Kokeshi doll winter scene $30.00

Vintage Japanese wood doll KOKESHI $30.00

Shogi Kokeshi wooden Ornament Japan (wood statue doll) $29.99

Vtg Hand Painted Wooden Daruma Kokeshi Pop Out Eyes Opens Japan Wood Japanese $29.99

Japanese Kokeshi Doll wood japan geisha girl figure Art Flower Decor rock floral $29.99

14.5″ Vntg KOKESHI DOLL Japanese WOOD KIMONO Carved & Hand Painted USABURO?? $29.99

6 5/8″ Japanese Kokeshi Doll Kimono Carved Light Wood Signed Vintage $29.50

Bamboo Toothpicks (set of 2) #P0072 $3.95 Toothpick dispenser with bamboo toothpicks inside. You will receive two plastic dispensers, each filled with hundreds of bamboo (not wood) toothpicks, sharp on one side and decoratively carved on the other end. These bamboo toothpicks are harder wood and stay sharper. Bamboo is a renewable wood, go green!!…

Purple Cartoon Japenese Girl Doll Pendant Strap Hanger for Cell Phone Mp4 $4.03 Features: wooden kokeshi doll and double bell pendant. Can be attached to cell phones, MP3 players, mini purse, key chain and so on (your device must have a hole to attach it). Simply push the string into the hole on the device and loop it back through for a secure hold….

Black Red Wooden Doll Double Bell Pendant Cell Phone Strap Charm $3.80 Features: wooden kokeshi doll and double bell pendant. Can be attached to cell phones, MP3 players, mini purse, key chain and so on(your device must have a hole to attach it). Simply push the string into the hole on the device and loop it back through for a secure hold….

Smiling Green Kokeshi Doll Pendant Dual Bell Design Cell Phone Mp3 Strap $4.04 Features: wooden kokeshi doll and double bell pendant.Can be attached to cell phones, MP3 players, mini purse, key chain and so on (your device must have a hole to attach it).Simply push the string into the hole on the device and loop it back through for a secure hold….

Momiji – Hello, Bibi Button Message Dolls $19.94 My name is Bibi Button. Imagine tomorrow, the dotty dreams of bibi button. I like the Guggenheim and piano practice. San Francisco resident, Bibi Button is a little hipster. However you shouldn’t mistake her for a case of style over substance. Bibi also loves a healthy dose of geekery and she’s a culture vulture too. You’ll find her with her nose in a novel or wide-eyed at an art gallery. She love…

Momiji Poppet Message Doll Random Dolls Collection $11.30 Hand painted resin message doll. Turn them upside down. Inside every one has a tiny folded card for your secret message. Doll is approximately 3 inches tall….

Momiji – Good Mornig, Darcie Dot Message Dolls $21.95 My name is Darcie Dot. Darcie will welcome you to her home in Seoul with homemade banana bread and endless cups of green tea. She has a gentle soul and loves yoga classes, but she often gets the giggles. The world is a cuter place because of Darcie. Right now she’s knitting a jacket for her pet rabbit. Konichiwa!! Momiji Japanese Friendship Dolls are loaded with Tokyo cool! Hand painted, each 3 in…

Kokeshi: Wooden Treasures of Japan $45.00 This gorgeous new 232 page book – the only comprehensive book on the subject in English and in print – captures the charm of these wooden treasures with 224 full color plates of the very best examples of both traditional and creative Kokeshi dolls from all regions of Japan. The cover is unusual and has the look and feel of hand-crafted binding (Purfect Bound). Size: 6-9/16” x 11” x 3/4”. Ko…