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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 "Sakunami Kokeshi," which developed around Sakunami Onsen in Sendai City, 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.
Kokeshi dolls "Sakunami Taro" and "Sakunami Hanako" at Sakunami Station on the JR Senzan Line
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.
Sakunami-style Kokeshi dolls developed around Sakunami Onsen
Sakunami-style kokeshi one of the 12 styles, and developed around Sakunami Onsen in Sendai City, Miyagi Prefecture .
It is said that the origins of Sakunami-style kokeshi dolls date back to the end of the Edo period, when a man named Nanjo Tokuemon, who moved to this area from Odawara, began making them as toys for children
There is also a record that Nanjo Tokuemon was the master of Kobayashi Soji, who is said to be the founder of the Yamagata style of kokeshi (Yamagata Sakunami style), and it is said that Sakunami kokeshi may be one of the oldest of all the birthplaces of kokeshi
Traditionally, the main materials used are the logs of Itaya maple and Mizuki, which grow wild in the Tohoku region, but in recent years cherry blossom, camellia, and locust tree have also been used
Sakunami style kokeshi dolls
As they were toys for children, they are characterized by their small heads and thin bodies that are easy to grip, and along with the Yamagata-style kokeshi (Yamagata Sakunami-style), which is a derivative of the Sakunami-style, they have "kokeshi that cannot stand up ." However, as time has passed, and their use has shifted to ornamental purposes, their bodies have become thicker today.
"pedestal kokeshi," which retain the traditional slender body characteristics but have a flared base at the bottom , is a shape unique to the Sakunami style that was developed to accommodate ornamental uses.
The chrysanthemum pattern called "Kani-Kiku" (Crab Chrysanthemum) is painted on the body
"crab chrysanthemum ," which at first glance looks like a crab.
Hiraga Kokeshi Shop, located in Sakunami Onsen
Hiraga Kokeshi Shop is a workshop and store run by Hiraga Teruyuki, an 8th generation craftsman of the Hiraga lineage of Sakunami, which has a history of over 100 years, and is currently the only store in Sakunami Onsen where you can purchase Sakunami style kokeshi dolls
Hiraga Kokeshi Store
It is located across the Hirose River from the hot spring inn "Yuzukushi Salon Ichinobo" in Sakunami, and in addition to traditional Sakunami kokeshi dolls, it also produces and sells original kokeshi dolls in collaboration with various Sendai specialties
Inside Hiraga Kokeshi Shop
Although advance reservations are required, there are also activities such as kokeshi doll painting experiences
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]")
