Posted 11 years ago
eevers
(1 item)
Was given to me by a friend who visited Japan. About 7.5" tall and 1.5" at base. I can't read Japanese. Can anyone shed some light on this cute doll?
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yes she is and called "A creative Kokeshi doll" :-) She had the more modern look that started after WWII until today
Kokeshi dolls originate from the Tohoku region of Northern Japan, an area well-known for its onsen (hot spring) resorts. These handmade wooden dolls are thought to date back to the early 19th century when kijiya (woodworkers), accustomed to making bowls and trays, began using their woodworking skills and lathes to make simple dolls to sell as toys and souvenirs to the onsen visitors. The dolls may originally have had a spiritual significance with the kokeshi representing a wish for a healthy child. It has also been suggested that kokeshi, with their round heads and limbless bodies probably made in an unpainted form originally, were used as massage tools by spa bathers. The name 'kokeshi' itself is thought to derive from a combination of names given to the wooden dolls in the various areas of their manufacture.
http://www.japanya.co.uk/kokeshi.aspx
Thanks! That is so interesting! Do you know what region this one is from?
Oops, I saw you already answered the the Tohoku region. Thanks for the link.
Your welcome :-)
Lovely Kokeshi, the hanku stamp on the bottom belongs to Suigai Sato, he is a Creative Kokeshi Artist born in the 1970s and was initially trained as a painter under Komuru Suiun. He is believed to have started Kokeshi making in 1949 and has won various prizes at Kokeshi Contest including the Prime Ministers award in 1966. -Soul