Kokeshi is known as one of the most important traditional folk arts of Japan. With its origins from northern Japan, Kokeshi are traditional handmade Japanese dolls made of wood. The kokeshi has a simple trunk and a comparatively large head. Traditionally, the face is defined by sparse painted lines. The body bears a floral design, usually in colours of black, red, yellow, and even purple. The trunk is normally covered with wax. The artist’s signature is usually found at the bottom of the doll. The kokeshi doll has a unique feature. It has no arms and legs. 

Traditional kokeshi dolls bear common features such as the round head, the basic cylindrical body without limbs, and the bright painted designs in floral patterns and kimonos. Because the dolls are hand-painted, each one is certified unique. One is assured that there are no two kokeshi doll faces alike. This characteristic makes the kokeshi one of the most fascinating traditional toys that still exists in the world today. Some of the doll faces are happy, smiling, and gleeful, while others look pensive and even serious. 

 

Kokeshi dolls were meant to symbolize local culture. The woodwork artisans, known locally as Kijiya, that crafted them believed that these dolls would promise a good harvest. It was thought that if children played with these dolls, the gods would be impressed. 

 

The traditional kokeshi dolls have shapes and patterns that are unique to a certain area. This traditional kind is classified into eleven interesting types, corresponding to the village or villages near hot springs or onsen found within the Tohoku region. Traditional kokeshi dolls were produced only in the six prefectures of Tohoku. The most popular of these types is the Naruko variety. Kokeshi doll-making is a principal craft in the Naruko Onsen Village so much that the village’s main street is named Kokeshi Street. The avenue is lined with the shops of kokeshi carvers.

 

There is also such a thing as a “Creative” kokeshi, indigenously known as shingata-kokeshi. Developed after World War II, the design and craft of such a variety allows for more freedom in shape and colour. This variety is not found in any particular region of Japan, but creative kokeshi artists are mostly located in the cities. The Creative Kokeshi or Shingata uses other unique techniques such as engraving and baking, methods not employed with the traditional types. 

 

Kokeshi dolls are made from particular woods.  Cherry wood is preferred for its dark hue, while Mizuko is a favourite option for its softer texture and is, thus, used widely and extensively. Japanese maple known as Itaya-kaede is also usually used for both traditional and creative kokeshi. This wood is purposely left outdoors to season it over a period of one to five years prior to being carved and used. 

 

Today, kokeshi dolls are popular toys in Japan, as well as a favorite souvenir or gift item. The kokeshi, popular in Japan for generations, still remains as a famous cultural item. The dolls’ bold colors and simple lines are a showcase of centuries-old Japanese design. Some even consider the kokeshi doll as a lucky charm. Some purchase the doll because of the belief that it protects a home against fire. It is also said that the dolls hold some spiritual significance, being a symbol of a fervent wish for a healthy child. 

 

At the very least, the kokeshi doll is a stylish contemporary art form, as well as a beautiful token of friendship. The kokeshi is commonly sold in most tourist areas in Japan. Some of the dolls’ designs are now modernized. However, traditional and authentic kokeshi doll-making still exists in the Tohoku area in northeastern Japan. Kokeshi dolls have now become a special product of the region, with the dolls’ faces looking gentle and markedly feminine.

 

The kokeshi has also become a precious gift to special people. It is undoubtedly a unique gift because each one is personally hand-made, making each and every kokeshi doll a one-and-only gift. This is the kokeshi’s unique charm, its one-of-a-kind exclusivity.

 

Some kokeshi manufacturers make the dolls even more personalized by putting the name of the gift recipient and the date on the doll itself. The words may even be written in traditional Japanese calligraphy style of writing. As a custom-made gift for newborn babies, the length of the kokeshi doll may be made the same as the length of the newborn child.