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| design, originally made on hand-powered lathes.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