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 around Zao Onsen in Yamagata Prefecture"Zao Takayu 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.
Various Kokeshi dolls
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.
Zao Takayu style kokeshi dolls developed around Zao Onsen
developed around Zao Onsen in Yamagata Prefecturethe Zao Takayu style.
The "Zao Takayu style Kokeshi" was born when Abe Tsunematsu, a woodworker from Tsuchiyu, moved to Zao, Yamagata during the Meiji period
Since Togatta in Miyagi Prefecture was located nearby, just across Mount Zao, it was strongly influenced by Togatta-style kokeshi dolls, and since Tsunematsu was from Tsuchiyu, it is said that it was also influenced by Tsuchiyu-style kokeshi dolls
Zao Takayu style Kokeshi dolls
They are characterized by their large heads and rounded, sturdy bodies, some of which resemble women with slender waists
The body of the sword features patterns depicting plants representative of Yamagata, such as layered chrysanthemums, cherry blossoms, and safflower"tegara". Another distinctive feature is the red radial pattern called
Zao Onsen, a hot spring with a history dating back 1900 years
Zao Onsen is one of Japan's oldest hot springs, said to have first been discovered 1,900 years ago, and began to become popular around the Edo period as the western trailhead to Zao Gongen
During the Taisho era, a road was opened connecting the hot springs with the villages at the foot of the mountain, and various facilities were built. In the Showa era, a ski resort also opened, and the mountain developed into a major tourist destination known as "Zao Onsen."
Zao Onsen Kamiyu Public Bath and Sukawa Onsen Shrine's Main Gate
Zao's hot springs, which are said to have been discovered by Kibi no Takayu, who accompanied Emperor Yamato Takeru on his eastern expedition, are highly acidic sulfur springs that are known for their antibacterial and skin-strengthening properties, making them famous as "beauty-making hot springs."
Takayu Street in Zao Onsen Town
Kokeshi dolls began to be made in the Meiji period, when Abe Tsunematsu, a woodworker from Tsuchiyu mentioned above, moved to the area and was born
By the way, it is said that the "Zao Takayu" in the "Zao Takayu style Kokeshi" comes from the name of Kibi no Takayu, the discoverer of the stone
Even today, many hot spring facilities and shops line Takayu Street in Zao Onsen
Zao Onsen <Information>
Name: Zao Onsen
Address: Yamagata City, Yamagata Prefecture, 990-2301
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]")
