Shimanuki's "Kokeshi Can" is a gift for Sendai that will appeal to the hearts of your collection! [Miyagi Prefecture]

When it comes to souvenirs from a trip, food is the first thing that comes to mind. In Sendai, there are many options, such as beef tongue, kamaboko (fish cake), and hagi no tsuki (Japanese cedar). However, what is surprisingly hard to think of is a tangible souvenir .

it's safe to choose something that can be eaten and consumed without any leftovers

However, did you know that there is a souvenir from Sendai that will make you think, "Wow, this is something that everyone would be happy to receive?"

It's called the "Kokeshi Can ." This time, we'll be introducing the "Kokeshi Can," a Sendai souvenir that remains in this shape!

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What is a Kokeshi can?

"Kokeshi Can" is a unique product that combines tradition and playfulness, created by Kokeshi no Shimanuki a long-established craft store in Sendai City, Miyagi Prefecture . It is a novel souvenir that offers "Kokeshi,"

Inside the can are palm-sized kokeshi dolls made by various kokeshi craftsmen, along with wood waste produced during the production process

Wood shavings, a testament to the handmade nature of the product, are included as cushioning material and as an option to allow you to enjoy the scent of wood when you open the can

have become a popular traditional craft, with 10,000 in the approximately four and a half years from full-scale sales in March 2016 to December 2020

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Types of Kokeshi and Craftsmen

The Kokeshi Tin contains a variety of traditional kokeshi dolls, mainly from Miyagi Prefecture, including the Naruko, Yajiro, Togatta, and Sakunami styles, and is filled with kokeshi dolls made by famous craftsmen from each style

• Naruko-style : Kakizawa Korenobu, Onuma Hideaki, Onuma Hidenori
• Yajiro family : Takashi Kamata, Minae Kamata, Toshio Takada, Shota Niiyama, Yuka Tomizuka
• Togatta family : Yoshio Ogasawara, Noboru Wagatsuma, Tsukasa Wagatsuma
• Sakunami group : Teruyuki Hiraga, Akira Suzuki, Kei Suzuki

As with regular kokeshi dolls, one of the attractions of these dolls is that in addition to the characteristics of each style, you can also enjoy the individuality and traditional techniques of each craftsman

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Actual Kokeshi can

I actually bought some to reveal the whole picture! The pieces I bought this time are by Togatta-style Wagatsuma Tsukasa and Yajiro-style Tomizuka Yuka

The item being opened is a work by Togatta school craftsman Wagatsuma Tsukasa

It looks like it could contain sweets, just like a can of food. The can is about 8cm in diameter and 6cm in height

When I opened it, I found a cute kokeshi doll inside! There was also a faint, pleasant scent of wood shavings wafting through the air

Although it varies slightly depending on the piece, kokeshi dolls are generally about the same height as the can, about 5cm to 7cm

It also comes with a plastic lid so that you can store it with the wood chips after opening and enjoying it for a while

You can display it as it is, or store it with the lid on

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Available at Kokeshi no Shimanuki stores or online shop

Currently, the Kokeshi Can can be purchased the online shop of Kokeshi , .

Since each craftsman makes each item by hand, they cannot be mass-produced, and the timing of new stock after they have sold out varies, so the items that are available and those that are not available can change quite a bit depending on when you visit the store.

You might encounter a different piece of art every time you visit Sendai... That could be another fun thing to think about

Long-established craft store "Kokeshi no Shimanuki"

Kokeshi no Shimanuki is a long-established craft store with its main store in Sendai, Miyagi Prefecture. When it was first founded in 1892, it started out as a store selling tobacco and sweets

After the war, the store began selling kokeshi dolls and other Tohoku crafts, and now plans, manufactures, and sells Tohoku folk art, crafts, and Japanese goods, with a focus on kokeshi dolls.The store also offers hands-on experiences such as painting kokeshi dolls, helping to spread the appeal of Tohoku's traditional crafts

Kokeshi no Shimanuki <INFORMATION>

• Name: Kokeshi no Shimanuki Main Store
• Address: 1F Shimanuki Building, 3-1-17 Ichibancho, Aoba-ku, Sendai City, Miyagi Prefecture, 980-0811
• Phone number: 022-223-2370
• Official URL: https://www.shimanuki.co.jp/

Google Map

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summary

The Shimanuki Kokeshi Tin adds casualness and collector's items to the traditional craft .

Once you get hooked, you might even find yourself saying, "If you go to Sendai, buy a Kokeshi can!" If you're interested, be sure to check out the store or online shop!

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