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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 the Nanbu Kokeshi , which developed mainly in Hanamaki City, Iwate 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.
Kokeshi doll painting experience
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.
Nanbu-style kokeshi dolls developed mainly in Hanamaki City, Iwate Prefecture
Nanbu Kokeshi is one of the 12 styles, and was developed around Hanamaki City, Iwate Prefecture .
It is said that the craft began when woodworkers such as the Sasaki and Susumago families of Hanamaki made kokeshi dolls in their spare time while making various wooden crafts. At its peak, there were over 10 kokeshi craftsmen, but today only a few remain
Southern style kokeshi dolls
The distinctive feature of the Nambu style kokeshi is "colorless ." Currently, there are Nambu kokeshi dolls with various colors, but the originals are said to be those without any coloring.
It is made from a hard, white wood called Kosambara (Aohada), and one of its features is that the head is removable and moves back and forth
Since it has its roots in the infant pacifier called "kinakina," it is also known as "Kikrabocco," "Kinakinabo," or "Kinakinabocco."
Later, under the influence of artisans from the Naruko and Togatta schools, they began to be painted with colors, and because they often feature flowers such as chrysanthemums, peonies, dianthus, and camellias, they Hanamaki Kokeshi , and the wood used also changed to include Chinese pagoda tree, cherry blossom, and zelkova.
"Miyazawa Kenji Fairy Tale Village" where you can purchase Nanbu Kokeshi dolls
Currently, Nanbu Kokeshi dolls are sold at Mori no Mise-kkoya, located within the Miyazawa Kenji Fairy Tale Village in Hanamaki City
Miyazawa Kenji Fairy Tale Village
Also, right next to Miyazawa Kenji Fairy Tale Village is the workshop of the Susumo family, a Nanbu Kokeshi craftsman, so it might be worth taking a look there as well
Miyazawa Kenji Fairy Tale Village <Information>
Name: Miyazawa Kenji Fairy Tale Village
Address: 19, Takamatsu 26th District, Hanamaki City, Iwate Prefecture, 025-0014
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]")
