Kokeshi dolls are cherished wooden dolls given to Japanese children to promote good fortune. These dolls are carved from wood and are one of the most iconic representations of Japanese folk art. Kokeshi dolls symbolize many of Japan’s most relevant figures in history, like samurai and other warriors.
Kokeshi dolls were initially made at the Shinchi Shuraku, near the Togatta Onsen by artisans skilled with a lathe Technique for manufacturing kokeshi and expanded to other locations in the Tohoku region from there. These dolls are believed to have been created in the middle of the Edo era.
These impactful dolls have gone through an evolution of creative development since their initial creation in the Edo period. Dolls that were once a single cylinder of wood are now intricate carvings, using more than paint to give these dolls personality.
What is a kokeshi doll?
Kokeshi dolls are colorful Japanese toys carved from wood. Traditionally, artists carve these vibrant dolls for children. Giving a child a kokeshi doll influences them to have spiritual well-being and healthy life.
They come in several variations, mostly dependent on the region they were produced and the artist’s personal experiences. History is also a major influence on the design of creative kokeshi dolls.
When making a creative doll, the artist has control of the design. Free creative reign allows them to craft dolls they believe children will love.
As you collect kokeshi dolls from different regions, you will notice how they represent the different Japanese prefectures.
You will also notice the fine detail each kokeshi doll offers and the differences between every handcrafted piece of art. Every kokeshi doll tells its own story and will make you feel that by its appearance, movement, and shape.
The history of the Kokeshi
The first evidence of the kokeshi surfaced in the Edo period. Or the 17th century. Initially, people claimed that these dolls were crafted as a hobby to pass the time. Once they began selling, Japanese woodcarvers shifted their perspective. Woodcarvers began selling their kokeshi dolls at various locations such as hot springs, markets, and more.
Kokeshi dolls became a great source of income for many people. The demand for kokeshi dolls became significant, not only because of their appearance but because of their additional spiritual value. Many people wanted to bestow this gift upon their children so they would have a prosperous life.
After World War II, the popularity of these traditional kokeshi dolls spread worldwide. People began to collect these dolls internationally, and their appreciation for Japanese culture grew with them.
As the appreciation grew, the interpretation of the traditional kokeshi design began to change. Contemporary designs evolved, and the unique, creative kokeshi design evolved. The cylindrical shape of the kokeshi doll transformed into a more rounded shape.
Soon, artists added new decorations and wood-carved designs like hair, swords, fans, and other attachments to the kokeshi dolls. These became the new ‘creative’ kokeshi dolls that were eventually the modern dolls seen today.
Types of kokeshi
Each wooden kokeshi doll has a different appearance, mainly based on whether it is a traditional or creative kokeshi doll. Contemporary dolls are more creative, with original designs. Meanwhile, traditional kokeshi dolls have an Edo-period design.
Many artists will draw from personal or family struggles to create dolls with emotion. Dolls that evoke emotion in the buyer help people relate to the kokeshi dolls. These will can be influential in the child’s life, so choosing the doll cannot be a hasty decision.
Some parents will choose a traditional kokeshi doll because they believe that it has more spiritual value. However, the appearance of creative kokeshi dolls can be more impactful and influential on some children.
Choosing a doll that represents the parent can help children deeply connect with their parents, especially when they are apart from one another for an extended time.
Traditional kokeshi
Traditional kokeshi dolls were first produced in the Edo Period as a matter of hobby. The dolls were carved from a dried piece of wood to match a cylindrical design with no arms or legs.
Even though traditional kokeshi dolls were considered a hobby, many people still desired to make them as creative as possible. Artists used paint to distinguish different personalities in their dolls. They drew faces and even unique designs that resembled outfits.
In the Edo Period, woodcarving artists and hobbyists represented creativity on these wooden dolls through paint. While there are still no legs on kokeshi dolls, the traditional kokeshi dolls of the 17th century were entirely cylindrical with no unique shapes.
Traditional designs did not paint any arms or physical features aside from their faces. Providing some (but not all) human physical features gave the dolls a human-like feeling.
Initially, people produced traditional kokeshi in eleven regions, including Japan’s original northeastern (Tōhoku-chihō) region.
After the popularity spread, these wooden dolls became a regular custom across Japan. They are so popular across Japan that almost every child is gifted one by their parents, despite their families’ economic status.
Creative Modern kokeshi
Creative kokeshi are more contemporary dolls, which artists carve into unique designs and shapes. Artists have free reign when making these dolls, including the design, shape, and even size.
Most contemporary artists make creative kokeshi dolls because they have more control over their kokeshi doll’s design. They can also create their dolls as individual characters. Creating characters with personalities allows people to connect with the creative kokeshi dolls on a more personal level.
Kokeshi dolls are more than a toy. They become a symbol of a child’s bond with their parent. The parent chooses the doll wisely, and in response, the child will keep their kokeshi dolls for life.
Because of the spiritual meaning behind kokeshi dolls, the designs of kokeshi dolls have become increasingly creative.
What is the difference between kokeshi dolls and traditional dolls?
The main difference between kokeshi dolls and traditional kokeshi dolls is the appearance of these dolls. Creative kokeshi dolls have more original and circular shapes. There is no strict guideline or boundaries when it comes to designing creative kokeshi dolls.
In some cases, the creative kokeshi dolls have attachments like hair, umbrellas, and other unique decorations. Traditional kokeshi dolls rely on paint to convey the doll’s personality. They do not include body limbs or any significant physical body structure, which can be less aesthetically pleasing to some people.
Compared to the paintings on traditional kokeshi dolls, many people suggest that the carved decorations give the dolls more individuality. In many cases, the vibrant-colored creative kokeshi dolls are more eyecatching. They can be more enticing. However, that does not mean they are less fun to an imaginative child or adult collector.
Purchasing any type of kokeshi doll is a fun and unique gift for a child. The Japanese tradition of paternal affection and spiritual well-being runs deep with these dolls, no matter the type you get.
Final Thoughts On The Kokeshi Doll
Japanese kokeshi dolls are traditional wooden dolls that parents have given to children for generations. At one point, these wooden dolls were cylindrical, with their individuality showing through the artist’s technical painting skills. Over the years, they have transformed into creative kokeshi dolls with more imaginative designs.
Instead of cylindrical designs, contemporary kokeshi have unpredictable shapes. These dolls are more intricate, with hair and bows.
Contemporary, creative kokeshi resemble characters such as geisha, samurai, and imaginative Japanese characters. Many of these characters are thematic of the region where the artist made them.
Whether the artist creates these as a hobby or a profession, the kokeshi doll is devoted to children. Their intention with these dolls is to promote lifelong happiness for the child. Based on the kind of kokeshi doll you give the child, it may have a memorable impact on the growth of their spirit and health.
Kokeshi Shop Ships Internationally (Video Of The Company Below)
