[Miyagi Prefecture] Naruko Kokeshi, a traditional kokeshi doll developed at Naruko Onsen, one of Miyagi's three famous hot springs in Oshu

Kokeshi dolls are one of the traditional crafts representing the Tohoku region .

It is a craft that has spread over a fairly wide area, with at least one unique lineage existing in every prefecture in Tohoku.

we will take a closer look at the ``Naruko Kokeshi'', which was developed around Naruko Onsen in Miyagi Prefecture

What is Kokeshi?

Kokeshi dolls are made by craftsmen called kijishi who lived mainly in mountain villages and 's wheel to make bowls and trays for a living. It is a wooden toy that was made to be sold as a souvenir to tourists in hot spring resorts.

It is said to have originated around the end of the Edo period, and is generally divided into the following 12 strains based on production area and characteristics.

• Tsugaru type (around Hirosaki City and Kuroishi City, Aomori Prefecture)
• Southern type (around Hanamaki City, Iwate Prefecture)
• Kiji Mountain Range (around Yuzawa City, Akita Prefecture)
• Naruko type (around Naruko Onsen, Osaki City, Miyagi Prefecture)
• Sakunami system (around Sakunami Onsen, Sendai City, Miyagi Prefecture)
• Togatta system (around Togatta Onsen, Zao Town, Katta District, Miyagi Prefecture)
• Yajiro type (around Kamasaki Onsen, Shiroishi City, Miyagi Prefecture)
• Hijiori series (around Hijiori Onsen, Okura Village, Mogami District, Yamagata Prefecture)
• Yamagata series (around Yamagata City, Yamagata Prefecture)
• Zao Takayu system (around Zao Onsen, Yamagata City, Yamagata Prefecture)
• Tsuchiyu system (around Tsuchiyu Onsen, Fukushima City, Fukushima Prefecture)
• Nakanosawa series (around Nakanosawa Onsen, Inawashiro-cho, Yama-gun, Fukushima Prefecture)

Various names and their origins

Kokeshi dolls have many other names, including , Dekoroko , Kogesu , Kiboko , Kogehoko , Kinakinabokko , Odekosama

Where did the name "kokeshi" originally come from? There are various theories about this,

• Transformation of the pest control toy to prevent epidemics
• Changes in burnt (piece of wood) cheeks (doll)
• Koge (wood cutting) meaning of shi (child)
• The accent of a small doll called okeshi that was popular in the Edo period.

There are multiple theories such as. Each theory has a certain level of persuasive power, and the aliases mentioned above are thought to have evolved by adding local accents to the names based on their respective origins.

In this way, Kokeshi dolls were called by completely different names in various places, but in 1940 (Showa 15), Kokeshi craftsmen and enthusiasts attended the ``1st Local Gathering - Naruko Festival'' A number of people related to the festival got together and decided to unify the word ``kokeshi'' into three hiragana letters, and from then on it has been called ``kokeshi'' in all regions.

Naruko-style kokeshi dolls developed at Naruko Onsen

Naruko Kokeshi dolls one of the 12 types, and were developed around Naruko Onsen in Osaki City, Miyagi Prefecture .

It is said that it began as a souvenir toy made by woodworkers at Naruko Onsen towards the end of the Edo period. The painting style is influenced by papier-mâché dolls, Tsutsumi dolls, and poppy dolls.

The main feature of Naruko Kokeshi dolls is that they have "shoulders", and the body shape is almost cylindrical, falling off the "shoulders".

Chrysanthemums, maples, dianthus, etc. are drawn on the heavy body, and one of the characteristics of Naruko Kokeshi dolls, which were loved as children's toys, is that they make a squeaking sound when the head is turned.

Kokeshi spots and events at Naruko Kokeshi Village “Naruko Onsen”

There are several kokeshi-related spots around Naruko Onsen, including the workshops and stores of kokeshi makers and the Nippon Kokeshi Museum, which houses a large collection of kokeshi dolls.

Japanese Kokeshi Museum

The Nippon Kokeshi Museum was founded in 1953 by Kaname Fukazawa, a kokeshi researcher and children's story writer, whose kokeshi collection was donated to Naruko Town (now Osaki City). The museum opened in 1975 after kokeshi doll makers from all over the country continued to donate kokeshi dolls to the Kokeshi Festival.

In addition to exhibiting Mr. Fukasawa's collection mentioned above and the many kokeshi dolls dedicated to the National Kokeshi Festival, you can also watch demonstrations by kokeshi craftsmen turning the dolls on a potter's wheel and try your hand at painting kokeshi dolls.

Naruko Kokeshi dolls are painted in the parking lot of the Kokeshi Museum.

Japanese Kokeshi Museum＜Information＞

• Name: Japanese Kokeshi Museum
• Address: 74-2 Naruko Onsen Urimae, Osaki City, Miyagi Prefecture 989-6827
• Phone number: 0229-83-3600
• Official URL: http://www.kokesikan.com/

Google Map

Workshops of kokeshi doll makers dotted around the hot spring town full of kokeshi dolls

One of the characteristics that makes Naruko Onsen different from other kokeshi doll villages in Miyagi Prefecture is that the workshops and stores of kokeshi makers are scattered throughout the center of the hot spring area.

In other areas, the hot spring town is often several kilometers away, but in the case of Naruko Onsen, you can stay overnight at the hot spring and walk around the nearby workshops while wearing a yukata. It's attractive.

In addition to the kokeshi workshop, you can see kokeshi dolls everywhere in the hot spring town of Naruko.

the "Kokeshi Post" in front of the Naruko Post Office the "Kokeshi Telephone Box" in front of the Naruko General Branch Office were famous, but the Kokeshi Telephone Box was sadly removed in 2023 due to the decline in demand for public telephones. It's gone.

Naruko Onsen＜Information＞

• Name: Naruko Onsen
• Address: Naruko Onsen, Osaki City, Miyagi Prefecture, 989-6822
• Phone number: -
• Official URL: -

Google Map

The highlight is the parade of papered kokeshi dolls! National Kokeshi Festival

The National Kokeshi Festival, is held every year from late August to early September, began in 1948 as the Naruko Kokeshi Festival.

Kokeshi doll memorial service and kokeshi dedication ceremony, which are traditional Shinto rituals, production demonstrations and exhibitions and sales of traditional kokeshi dolls from various regions, kokeshi painting experience, kokeshi roundtable discussion, kokeshi festival competition, festival with paper-covered kokeshi dolls and kokeshi-patterned yukata. A parade and various events related to kokeshi dolls will be held over three days.

You can watch the festival on the official YouTube channel and official website, so if you are interested, please check it out.

National Kokeshi Festival＜Information＞

• Name: National Kokeshi Festival
• Official URL: https://kokeshimatsuri.com/
• Official YouTube channel: National Kokeshi Festival