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Kokeshi dolls are one of the traditional crafts that represent the Tohoku region .
It is a craft that has spread over a fairly wide area, with at least one unique style existing in every prefecture in the Tohoku region
we will take a closer look at Naruko Kokeshi, which developed mainly around Naruko Onsen in Miyagi Prefecture
What is a Kokeshi doll?
Kokeshi dolls are wooden who mainly lived in mountain villages and made a living by using a potter's wheel to make bowls, trays, and other objects, to use as toys for their children or to sell as souvenirs to visitors to nearby hot spring resorts.
Exhibition by genre at the Japan Kokeshi Museum
It is said to have originated around the end of the Edo period, and is generally divided into the following 12 types based on its place of origin and characteristics
Tsugaru-style (Around Hirosaki and Kuroishi cities in Aomori Prefecture)
Southern group (Around Hanamaki City, Iwate Prefecture)
Kijiyama mountain range (around Yuzawa City, Akita Prefecture)
Naruko-style (Naruko Onsen area, Osaki City, Miyagi Prefecture)
Sakunami-style (Sakunami Onsen area, Sendai City, Miyagi Prefecture)
Togatta type (Around Togatta Onsen, Zao Town, Katta District, Miyagi Prefecture)
Yajiro lineage (Kamasaki Onsen area, Shiroishi City, Miyagi Prefecture)
Hijiori group (around Hijiori Onsen, Okura Village, Mogami District, Yamagata Prefecture)
Yamagata-style (around Yamagata City, Yamagata Prefecture)
Zao Takayu system (Zao Onsen area, Yamagata City, Yamagata Prefecture)
Tsuchiyu area (Tsuchyu Onsen area, Fukushima City, Fukushima Prefecture)
Kokeshi dolls have many different names, such as kideko , dekoroko , kogesu , kiboko , hakogehoko , kinakinabokko, and odekosama.
There are various theories about where the name "kokeshi" originally came from
The evolution of the plague-repelling toy, the Yokeshi
Changes in Koge (piece of wood) and Hohoko (doll)
The meaning of "burnt wood"
A dialectal name for Okeshi, a small doll that was popular during the Edo period
There are several theories, such as the above. Each theory has a certain degree of persuasiveness, and it is thought that the other names mentioned above are names based on their origins, which have been changed by mixing in local accents
As you can see, kokeshi dolls were called by completely different names in different regions, but in 1940 (Showa 15), the "1st Local Gathering/Naruko Convention" , many people including kokeshi craftsmen and enthusiasts gathered and decided to unify the name into three hiragana characters, "kokeshi," and from then on, kokeshi came to be called "kokeshi" in all regions.
Naruko-style Kokeshi dolls developed in Naruko Onsen
Naruko-style kokeshi one of the 12 styles, and developed around Naruko Onsen in Osaki City, Miyagi Prefecture .
It is said that they began as souvenir toys made by woodworkers at the end of the Edo period for Naruko Onsen. The painted and painted style was influenced by papier-mâché dolls, Tsutsumi dolls, and mustard seed dolls
Naruko-style Kokeshi dolls
The main feature of Naruko-style kokeshi dolls is that they have shoulders, and their bodies are nearly cylindrical, falling straight down from the shoulders
The heavy bodies are decorated with chrysanthemums, maples, and poppies, and one of the characteristics of Naruko-style kokeshi dolls, which were loved as children's toys, is the squeaking sound they make when you turn their heads
Kokeshi Spots and Events at Naruko Onsen, the Home of Naruko Kokeshi
There are several kokeshi-related spots around Naruko Onsen, including kokeshi craftsmen's workshops and stores, and the Japan Kokeshi Museum, which houses a large collection of kokeshi dolls
Japan Kokeshi Museum
Japan Kokeshi Museum
The Japan Kokeshi Museum opened in 1975, inspired by the donation of the kokeshi collection of kokeshi researcher and children's story writer Fukazawa Kaname to Naruko Town (now Osaki City) in 1953, and the continued donation of kokeshi dolls to the Kokeshi Festival by kokeshi craftsmen from all over the country every year
Inside the Japan Kokeshi Museum
In addition to the aforementioned Fukasawa's collection and the numerous kokeshi dolls donated to the National Kokeshi Festival, you can also watch kokeshi craftsmen demonstrate how to turn a doll on a potter's wheel and try your hand at painting a kokeshi doll
Japan Kokeshi Museum parking lot
There is a picture of a Naruko Kokeshi doll painted on the parking lot of the Kokeshi Museum
Japan Kokeshi Museum <Information>
Name: Japan Kokeshi Museum
Address: 74-2 Ureshimae, Naruko Onsen, Osaki City, Miyagi Prefecture, 989-6827
Kokeshi craftsmen's workshops dot the hot spring town, which is filled with kokeshi dolls
One of the major features that sets Naruko Onsen apart from other kokeshi villages in Miyagi Prefecture is that kokeshi craftsmen's workshops and stores are scattered throughout the hot spring town center
Naruko Onsen Kokeshi Workshop Map
In other areas, the hot springs are often located several kilometers away from the hot spring town, but one of Naruko Onsen's great attractions is that you can stay overnight at the hot spring and walk around the nearby workshops in your yukata
Giant Kokeshi dolls in Naruko Onsen town
In addition to the kokeshi workshop, you can see kokeshi dolls everywhere in Naruko's hot spring town
the "Kokeshi Post Box" in front of Naruko Post Office the "Kokeshi Telephone Booth" in front of Naruko General Branch Office were particularly famous, but the Kokeshi Telephone Booth was sadly removed in 2023 due to a decline in demand for public telephones.
Naruko Onsen <Information>
Name: Naruko Onsen
Address: Naruko Onsen, Osaki City, Miyagi Prefecture, 989-6822
Phone number:
Official URL:
Google Map
The highlight of the National Kokeshi Festival is the parade of papier-mâché kokeshi dolls!
The National Kokeshi Festival, which is held every year towards the end of summer, from the end of August to early September, began in 1948 as the Naruko Kokeshi Festival.
A variety of kokeshi-related events will be held over the three days, including the traditional Kokeshi Memorial Ceremony and Kokeshi Dedication Ceremony, demonstrations and exhibitions of traditional kokeshi production from each region, kokeshi painting experiences, kokeshi roundtable discussions, a kokeshi festival competition, and a festival parade featuring papier-mâché kokeshi dolls and kokeshi-patterned yukata
You can get a glimpse of the festival on the official YouTube channel and official website, so if you're interested, be sure to check it out
Traveling around the Tohoku region, I enjoy drinking delicious sake and exploring the local history, traditions, and customs. I write articles based on my interests. I'm currently interested in folk performing arts, local toys, and folk beliefs
![The facial expressions of Togatta Kokeshi dolls](https://jp.neft.asia/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/IMG_1784-150x150.jpg.webp "Togatta Kokeshi - Traditional Kokeshi Dolls Developed in Miyagi Zao's "Togatta Onsen" [Miyagi Prefecture]")
