Doll News Winter 2015 - (Page 38)
Wonderful Japanese
Kokeshi Dolls
O
by Itske and Anthony Stern
ne of the most enduring and unique folk art crafts in Japan is the wooden doll
called "Kokeshi." With an appeal for both the young and the old, these unusual,
and fascinating dolls are simple in shape with only a round head and cylindrical
body. Some people think they may have developed from the Russian Matryoshka dolls,
but this derivation is uncertain.
The traditional Kokeshi dolls are only made in the Tohoku region of the northern part
of the main island of Japan (nothing south of Tokyo). It is thought that the reason that
they are restricted to this one area is because the farmers fell idle during the long, cold
winter months. To pass the time, they threw a piece of wood onto a manual lathe. The
husband carved as the wife expended her energy on manually manipulating the turning
of the lathe. The resulting carving was a primitive doll with no arms, legs or adornment.
They resembled a wooden clothes pin.
The dolls shown in Fig. 2 are probably from Gunma Prefecture near Tokyo. They are
not old but may have resembled the first kokeshi to appear.
It is not really known when the first dolls were made, but they seem to have received
recognition in the early nineteenth century. At first, they were toys for children, who
Fig. 1: A selection of various Kokeshi Dolls shows the typical colors used in
painting the dolls - reds, blacks, yellows, purples and greens.
Fig. 2: Early kokeshi dolls may have looked like this without adornment or color.
38
WINTER 2015
Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Doll News Winter 2015
From the Editor
UFDC Offi cers and Regional Directors
President’s Message
UFDC Conference Calendar
A Warm Welcome to Our Newest Members
A Dream Come True, UFDC’s 66th Annual Convention Information and the 2015 UFDC National Convention Registration Card
2015 UFDC National Competitive Exhibit Early Information
Fundraising Committee Report
Marianna’s Gift: The Hands that Heal
Marianna Original Paper Doll
Wonderful Japanese Kokeshi Dolls
Alien (Heads) or The Invasion of the (Peg Wooden) Body Snatchers
The Ralph Waldo Emerson Family Dolls
Louisa May Alcott, Madame Alexander and the Little Women Dolls
Hepzibah’s Milkmaids – The Dolls of The House of the Seven Gables
A Child A Doll A Portrait
Shared Passions 2014 UFDC Special Exhibit The Wild West
Shared Passions 2014 UFDC Special Exhibit Dianna Effner
Shared Passions 2014 UFDC Antique Competitive Exhibit Part 1
Shared Passions 2014 UFDC Modern Competitive Exhibit Part 1
Shared Passions 2014 UFDC In Appreciation
The Art of Technology
Painted Perfection – The Story of Susan Fosnot
Masquerade - The History of Costume Balls and Fancy Dress
Go Ahead, Make a Scene! Creative Collecting, Part 1
Club Notes
Reviewing Resources
Milestones
UFDC Awards of Excellence Nomination Information and Form
Donations
Doll-ers & Sense
In Our Memories
News & Notes
Member-At-Large Form
Doll News Winter 2015
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