Kokeshi: The Wooden Dolls of Tōhoku
Kokeshi are simple wooden dolls with a round head and a cylindrical body, turned on a lathe and painted by hand. They come from Tōhoku, the north-east of Japan's main island, where woodturners began making them as souvenirs for visitors to hot-spring towns in the late Edo period. Their quiet faces and restrained decoration have made them one of the best loved forms of Japanese folk art.
Traditional lineages
Traditional kokeshi, dentō kokeshi, are grouped into eleven lineages, each tied to a place and passed from master to apprentice. Each has its own head shape, body profile and painted patterns.
- Naruko. From Miyagi. A chrysanthemum pattern on a slightly waisted body, and a head that squeaks when turned.
- Tsuchiyu. From Fukushima. Bands of colour and a bullseye ring painted on the top of the head.
- Tōgatta. From Miyagi. Plum or chrysanthemum patterns and a red headdress.
- Yajirō. Known for the colourful rings on the head and lathe-cut grooves on the body.
- Tsugaru. From Aomori. Often painted with bold patterns, sometimes with designs taken from local textiles.
The others are Sakunami, Yamagata, Kijiyama, Nanbu, Zaō Takayu and Hijiori. Learning the lineages is the first step to reading kokeshi.
Creative kokeshi
After the Second World War, artists began to make sōsaku kokeshi, creative kokeshi, free of the regional rules. They vary the shapes, use natural wood grain and carve as well as paint. Some of the finest have won national craft prizes, and many are now as keenly collected as the traditional dolls.
Woods and signatures
Kokeshi are usually made of dogwood, maple or cherry, seasoned for months before turning. Most are signed on the base with the maker's name, sometimes with the maker's age or the year. Collectors value dolls by founding masters of each lineage, and early Shōwa examples in good condition are especially sought after.
Condition
- Fading is common, especially of red and purple paints, and reduces value.
- Check for cracks in the wood, particularly where the head joins the body.
- Look at the base. A clear signature and the maker's lineage help attribution.
- Keep kokeshi out of direct sun and away from heaters, and dust gently with a soft brush.