| Little is known of the early history of | | | | addition Kokeshi Japanese Wooden Dolls were |
| Kokeshi Japanese Wooden Dolls. One school of | | | | popular with the children of farmers as it |
| thought believes that Kokeshi dolls have | | | | was widely thought that they would promise a |
| their origins in the practice of spiritualist | | | | good harvest, as it was believed that it |
| religion. Wooden dolls were thought to | | | | would create a positive impression on the |
| contain the spiritual essence of the dead and | | | | gods if children played with the dolls.The |
| were often made for honorary remembrance.The | | | | woods used for Kokeshi vary. Cherry is |
| modern history of Japanese Kokeshi dolls | | | | distinguished by its darkness. Mizuko or |
| began in the latter part of the Edo Era | | | | dogwood is softer and used extensively. |
| (1603-1867). Originating in the Tohiku region | | | | Itaya-kaede, a Japanese maple is also used. |
| of northern Japan, famous for it's hot | | | | The wood is left outdoors to season for one |
| springs and rejuvenating spa waters, Kokeshi | | | | to five years before it can be used to make a |
| Dolls acted as an important source of extra | | | | doll. Today, Kokeshi is recognized as one of |
| income for local artisans known as Kijiya | | | | the traditional folk arts of Japan.Despite |
| (which means woodworker in Japanese), who | | | | their common features two schools of design |
| specialised in wood work and the production | | | | exist, Traditional Kokeshi and Creative |
| of household utensils such as trays and | | | | Kokeshi.Traditional Kokeshi are for the main |
| wooden bowls. In severe winters these Kijiya | | | | part still only produced in the six |
| craftsmen began making "Kokeshi Dolls" to | | | | prefectures of the Tohoku region. The twelve |
| sell as souvenirs to visitors who frequented | | | | schools of design here all exhibit |
| the local hot springs. The dolls acted not | | | | distinctive features that allow experts to |
| only as souvenirs but also as massage tools | | | | tell exactly where they have been produced |
| used by the bathers to tap their shoulders | | | | and often by whom.Creative Kokeshi do not |
| whilst enjoying the warming benefits of the | | | | follow the traditional designs originating |
| hot springs.The Kokeshi dolls were very | | | | from the Tohoku region and instead have an |
| simple in design, originally made on | | | | unstructured inspiration which is completely |
| hand-powered lathes. Traditional Kokeshi | | | | free in terms of shape and painting, the only |
| dolls had common characteristics that | | | | traditional constraint being their |
| consisted of a basic cylindrical limbless | | | | manufacture by means of the lathe. Unlike |
| body and a round head. Though the first dolls | | | | traditional kokeshi, they do not display any |
| might have been unpainted, today most Kokeshi | | | | of their distinctive local colour nor the |
| are painted in bright floral designs, | | | | techniques that had been passed down through |
| kimonos, and other traditional patterns. | | | | the generations. They simply represent the |
| Colors used were red, yellow and purple. As | | | | creative thought and ability of the |
| all the dolls are hand painted, no two faces | | | | craftsman.Traditional and Creative crafted |
| are alike. This is perhaps the greatest charm | | | | dolls have become a cause for celebration in |
| of the Kokeshi. Some dolls are whimsical, | | | | Tohoku and across Japan. Every year, in early |
| happy and smiling, while others are | | | | September, people gather in Naruko Onsen |
| serious.Soon their popularity spread | | | | where craftsmen from across the nation gather |
| throughout Japan and they became favoured as | | | | to honor Kokeshi in a competition where the |
| wooden toys for those unable to afford | | | | number one prize is an award from the Prime |
| porcelain dolls. In addition the simple | | | | Minister.There are many different styles of |
| rounded shapes of the dolls lent themselves | | | | Kokeshi, but there is one philosophy that all |
| as early teething rings for young | | | | Kokeshi dolls share, and that is the pursuit |
| babies.Kokeshi dolls traditionally | | | | of beauty and artistry through simplicity. |
| represented young girls and they quickly | | | | This philosophy is extolled at the website: |
| became popular for their depiction of | | | | Conway has traveled extensively throughout |
| feminine beauty. In addition their simple | | | | Japan and was charmed by the Japanese art |
| charm and association with childhood meant | | | | form of Kokeshi. The website, is a global |
| that they were often given as gifts when a | | | | resource intended to further knowledge of |
| child was born, as birthday presents or as | | | | these simple but elegant works of art. |
| symbols of remembrance when a child died. In | | | | |