Usaburo 50 Out of 5 Stars 1 Reviews Usaburo Sosaku Kokeshi Doll Sakura Made in Japan
Showcasing the imagination of the artists, kokeshi dolls have a simple idea and demonstrate stunning artwork, giving us characters to be treasured.
They have inverse a lot over the years only several details remain, including their limbless physique and vibrant hand-painted bodies. Find out everything about kokeshi dolls, from their history to how they are made, and learn where to buy your own.
What is a Kokeshi Doll?
The everlasting Japanese souvenir, kokeshi dolls (or dento-kokeshi) have get a cultural icon, and currently exist in so many different creative forms that information technology's easy to forget their simple origins.
Just one of the many types of Japanese dolls, they are made out of various types of seasoned wood, in item the wood of cherry and mizuki trees.
Ranging between 5 and x inches tall, they traditionally consist of a handcrafted thick wooden body with a ball attached for the head.
The doll is then painted with facial features, clothing, and hair, and they traditionally don't feature limbs, thus quickly separating them from most other dolls.
These features and styles vary depending on which region the doll originated from. The minimalist pattern of the clothing and facial features are also a unique factor of the dolls, though this is what has nearly markedly evolved with the modern iterations of kokeshi doll in a revival of the art which took hold from the 1940s onwards.
These contemporary dolls featured more elaborate wooden hairstyles, colourful clothing, and detailed facial expressions.
Today, you can find kokeshi dolls in almost any theme, including popular characters from film and anime, making them collector'southward items and still beloved by children.
The History of Kokeshi Dolls
Though a traditional folk fine art, kokeshi dolls are not as old equally they may first appear, becoming commonplace towards the terminate of the Edo period (1603 – 1868).
At that place are very few records documenting their origin but they are believed to have originated in northern Japan, specifically Shinchi Shuraku in the Tohoku region.
Woodworkers who had a knowledge of pottery (known as kijishi) began making uncomplicated wooden dolls every bit souvenirs for those visiting the onsen.
Spas across the region and then started making their own and the kokeshi dolls spread, becoming incredibly popular, especially during the Meiji catamenia, equally toys for children. The dolls varied subtly across the different regions and were typically named after the onsen in the expanse.
These are the eleven traditional types of doll from regions around Japan:
Tsuchiyu Dolls from Fukushima and Nihonmatsu — Using a contrary-lathe technique, these dolls are difficult to create. Featuring a cylindrical body with a larger bottom and a smaller head than other types of doll with a black coiled design on the head.
Yajirō from Miyagi — The head is slightly larger than the body on this doll which is a distinctive concave shape. Carvings are overlapped on the head to create a beret style appearance.
Tōgatta from Tōgatta Onsen in Miyagi — The head is much larger than the body on this doll and features a distinctive carmine pattern. The doll'south face is ever subtly smiling and the body will be decorated with blossoms.
Naruko from Naruko Onsen in Ōsaki — The head of this doll is attached with a peg and makes a distinctive squeaking audio. The body is typically decorated with maple leaves and blossoms.
Sakunami or Yamagata-Sakunami from Miyagi — A slimmer, longer doll that is easy to hold for children and decorated with petals. Hiraga Kokeshi Store is the only identify where you tin still find these dolls.
Zaō Takayu from Yamagata — This doll features a thick trunk that tapers at the end with the cease being busy with overlapping cherry blossoms and other flowers.
Hijiori from Hijiori Onsen in Ōkura — The facial features of this doll sets it apart every bit the crescent moon shaped optics make for a peaceful expression. Squared off shoulders five it a more than realistic body shape. At that place is just one primary kokeshi maker still working hither making these a particularly rare doll.
Kijiyama from Yuzawa — This is a longer doll with a particularly elongated caput. They will often exist found wearing a kimono with vertical stripes.
Nambu from Morioka and Hanamaki Onsen in Hanamaki — This doll, rather than a squeaking head, has a loose head which rattles around slightly making a distinctive knocking sound. They were originally left plain only some are painted with simple designs.
Tsugaru from Nuruyu Onsen in Kuroishi — These dolls often feature a flared out skirt, a bobbed hairstyle, and narrow waist. They will often have daruma painted on them or the Tsugaru clan crest.
Yamagata Mode — Made in the urban center itself, rather than in a hot spring town, they have a slim body and head and are painted with blossoms and occasionally safflowers which are Yamagat's official flower.
How Are Kokeshi Dolls Made?
Made from solid wood, these traditionally fabricated dolls are testament to the craft of woodwork being expertly made past hand using a lathe and knife.
Watching the process of making the dolls is a soothing and therapeutic procedure as observed in this video:
The signature stripes are likewise painted while on the lathe before the head is fitted into a crenel carved into the tiptop of the doll making the signature squeak the dolls are known for. The fine features of the doll and patterns are so painted on past hand.
Places to Visit if You Love Kokeshi
Miyagi Naruko Kokeshi — The nigh widley known styke of kokeshi dolls are fabricated in the boondocks of Naruko which tin can be constitute in Miyagi Prefecture. Forth with neighbouring towns and cities, it has now merged into the urban center of Osaki.
Yet, the hamlet of Naruko, along with several others, is still a popular hot leap resort, also as a place famous for its wood artisans.
In the tardily 19th Century, these artisans became known for the creation of kokeshi dolls. The combination of kokeshi and onsen make this a popular tourism destination.
Tsuchiyu Onsen — An unassuming and serenity town in Fukushima, Tsuchiyu Onsen is another hot spring resort town with strong ties to the cosmos of kokeshi dolls.
It's common for visitors to come for the onsen and enjoy the peace and tranquility of the identify, before returning domicile with a kokeshi doll every bit a souvenir.
The Tohoku region is said to be the place where kokeshi dolls originated, and Tsuchiyu Onsen takes pride in its annunciation that the artisans here are the simply ones who still carve kokeshi dolls in the original method.
Yajiro Kokeshi Village — Kokeshi dolls are such an of import icon of Japanese tradition that a competition, known as the Japan National Kokeshi Doll Contest, is frequently held.
Artisans from Yajiro Kokeshi Village have been known to have home the gold from this contest on multiple occasions, and then famed are these craftsmen at the art of making kokeshi dolls.
Situated at the foot of Mt. Fubosan, Yajiro is located close to Kamasaki Onsen. The unabridged location is a picturesque place steeped in tradition.
Miyagi Zao Kokeshi Museum — At the foot of Mountain Zao, you tin can visit the Kokeshi Museum. This is a museum that showcases over 5,000 examples of traditional and contemporary kokeshi dolls from the past two centuries, thus demonstrating the evolution of the kokeshi doll, too as the original designs and crafting techniques used to make them.
You can also visit a studio and see the artisans who create these beautiful dolls.
Where to Buy Authentic Kokeshi Dolls
Usaburo Kokeshi, based in Gunma Prefecture, are the largest makers of kokeshi dolls in Japan. They were one of the leading craftsmen of the kokeshi revival during the 20th Century and pioneered new production methods which modernised kokeshi crafting.
You tin likewise visit the Usaburo Kokeshi Manufacturing plant if you're hoping to make your own doll ane day or simply take a bout of their vast range of designs.
Here are some of their pieces which you tin purchase online:
Usaburo Japanese Kokeshi Doll, Hiro The Junior Samurai – This samurai doll is a perfect example of the inventiveness which came with contemporary doll adroitness with a separate superlative knot hairpiece and vibrant green maori jacket. Subtle detailing like the sword at his side brings the character of this doll to life.
Usaburo Japanese Kokeshi Doll, Yuki'due south Red Kimono – A classic style of kokeshi doll that we're most familiar with today, reminiscent of a geisha with big wooden hair, delicate red bow, and vibrant kimono and obi. This eye catching kokeshi doll makes information technology a perfect Japanese souvenir and volition undoubtedly brighten up your home.
Usaburo Sosaku Kokeshi Doll Yukigeshou – While many dolls showcase beautiful wearing apparel and accessories, many display a stunning Japanese scene across their body similar this Sosaku doll. Depicted here is a typical winter scene of Japanese roofs and snow-covered trees using gorgeous deep oranges and blues. A doll that transports you lot to another world whenever y'all look at it.
Usaburo Sosaku Cherry Blossom Kokeshi Doll – Take the leap everywhere with you lot and think of hanami right through the twelvemonth with this blood-red blossom doll. Wearing a pink yukata, detailed sakura are painted onto the forepart of the slice.
Usaburo Wassyoi Festival Doll – Wearing a detailed bluish hanten jacket and hachimaki headband, this doll is ready for the summer festivities and celebrations. With its happy expression, this kokeshi doll will remind you of the joys of summertime.
Seifu Ghono Sakura Cherry Flower – Made past Japanese designers Seifu Ghono, this scarlet blossom painted doll comes in a longer, thinner shape reminiscent of the more traditional style of kokeshi doll simply with contemporary hair and blueprint. Finished with lacquer from wood that has been dominicus-dried for six to twelve months, this beautiful Kokeshi doll is a wonderful example of Japanese adroitness and art.
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Source: https://booksandbao.com/kokeshi-dolls-guide-history/