This site is an online media that delivers all sorts of trivia about the six Tohoku prefectures, from sightseeing and gourmet spots to local customs, history, and more
are one of the representative traditional crafts of the Tohoku regionKokeshi dolls.
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
that developed primarily in Hanamaki City, Iwate Prefecture"Nanbu Kokeshi," a type of kokeshi dollwe've taken a closer look at
What is a Kokeshi doll?
primarily by woodworkers called "kijishi," who lived in mountain villages andbowls, trays, and other items using a potter'sKokeshi dolls are woodento make a living. They were made to be toys for their own children or to sell as souvenirs to visitors of 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 City and Kuroishi City, Aomori Prefecture)
Southern type(around Hanamaki City, Iwate Prefecture)
Kijiyama Mountain Range(around Yuzawa City, Akita Prefecture)
Naruko style(around Naruko Onsen, Osaki City, Miyagi Prefecture)
Sakunami style(around Sakunami Onsen, Sendai City, Miyagi Prefecture)
Kokeshi dollsきでこ,kideko,dekoroko,kogesuand evenkogehouko,kiboko,odekosamahave many other names, such as
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
Although kokeshi dolls were called by completely different names in various regions, in 1940 (Showa 15), the Tokyo Kokeshi Association held its"1st Local Gathering - Naruko Convention," where many people involved, including kokeshi craftsmen and enthusiasts, gathered and decided to standardize the name to the three hiragana characters "kokeshi." Since then, they have been called "kokeshi" in all regions.
Nanbu-style kokeshi dolls developed mainly in Hanamaki City, Iwate Prefecture
developed in and around Hanamaki City, Iwate Prefecturethe Nanbu-style kokeshi doll.
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
A defining characteristic of Nanbu-style kokeshi dolls is"unpainted"appearance. While various colored Nanbu kokeshi dolls exist today, the original versions are said to be completely unpainted.
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."
began to be painted, and because they often featured flowers such as chrysanthemums, peonies, carnations, and camellias, theythe dollscame to be called Hanamaki kokeshi dolls. The types of wood used also changed, including Japanese 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]")
