A selection of vintage traditional Japanese wooden Kokeshi dolls, dating from circa the mid-20th century. Sold individually (price is for ONE doll). Please specify which doll you would like after ordering.
They have been lovingly restored to bring out the beautiful vibrancy in the wood and paint. Each has been hand-painted and varying sizes. Each one is also stamped on the base.
Kokeshi are wooden dolls that originate from the Tōhoku region of north-eastern Japan and which emerged as a folk craft from hot spring mountain villages at the end of the Edo period (1603-1868 CE). There are 12 styles of doll across the region, each hailing from a different hot spring (onsen) town or area, and differentiated by head and body shape, facial features, colour and decoration, of which these are of the "Naruko" and "Togatta" types.
The dolls are believed to have originally been made for children but also came to be produced as souvenirs and mementoes for special occasions/achievements such as graduations. Each area in the Tōhoku region had its own local name to describe the wooden dolls they made. However, this had the potential to confuse collectors, so, in the 1940s, makers agreed to use one standard name: ‘kokeshi’.
As a general rule, the grouping of Kokeshi in odd numbers, such as three, five, seven and nine is considered as traditional.
Measurements:
Smallest: 18cm (height)
Medium: 23.5cm (height)
Largest: 25cm (height)
Please note all our items are vintage or antique and will therefore show signs of age and wear, and we try to reflect this in our photographs. Our policy is to offer items such as this of being in an "as found" condition and so we ask you to look closely at the photos as they are an integral part of the description.
