Beautiful Kokeshi Dolls: A Uniquely Japanese Folk Art

Beautiful Kokeshi Dolls: A Uniquely Japanese Folk Art

The End (Kokeshi dolls)
Photo of Kokeshi dolls from the collection of Itske and Anthony Stern.
This photo was presented during a public program, Kokeshi: Not Just a Toy!, at the Japanese American National Museum on July 25, 2009 in conjunction with the Kokeshi: From Folk Art to Art Toy exhibition on display from July 11 through October 4, 2009.
COPYRIGHT 2005 - ITSKE STERN

Daruma
These wonderful little men are also made by kokeshi makers and some are made as toys. The daruma legend came from India and it is about a man who sat on a wall and worried about the problems of the world. He lost his legs from non use and his arms are folded around himself under his gown. They are such wonderful creatures!! The ones with the spinning tops are used as dice, and this is indicated by the numbers and directions (e.g. North/south/east/west) painted on the top. When the spinning top stops and tilts, it is read like a dice.
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Photo of daruma dolls from the collection of Itske and Anthony Stern. This photo was presented during a public program, Kokeshi: Not Just a Toy!, at the Japanese American National Museum on July 25, 2009 in conjunction with the Kokeshi: From Folk Art to Art Toy exhibition on display from July 11 through October 4, 2009.
Accompanying text from the original PowerPoint slide:
These wonderful little men are also made by kokeshi makers and some are made as toys. The daruma legend came from India and it is about a man who sat on a wall and worried about the problems of the world. He lost his legs from non use and his arms are folded around himself under his gown. They are such wonderful creatures!! The ones with the spinning tops are used as dice, and this is indicated by the numbers and directions (e.g. North/south/east/west) painted on the top. When the spinning top stops and tilts, it is read like a dice.
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COPYRIGHT 2005 - ITSKE STERN

Ejiko Dolls
Don’t overlook these babies!!! These are the babies in the “baskets” (EJIKO) and this is how the field workers took their babies to work with them, by placing them in baskets near them as they worked. All the ten different types have these ejiko dolls.
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Photo of dolls from the collection of Itske and Anthony Stern. This photo was presented during a public program, Kokeshi: Not Just a Toy!, at the Japanese American National Museum on July 25, 2009 in conjunction with the Kokeshi: From Folk Art to Art Toy exhibition on display from July 11 through October 4, 2009.
Accompanying text from the original PowerPoint slide:
Don’t overlook these babies!!! These are the babies in the “baskets” (EJIKO) and this is how the field workers took their babies to work with them, by placing them in baskets near them as they worked. All the ten different types have these ejiko dolls.
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COPYRIGHT 2005 - ITSKE STERN

Naruko Nemoriko Dolls
Naruko “sitting” dolls are called nemoriko dolls, indicated by the kimono spreading around the sitting person. Other strains of kokeshi also have the nemoriko style.
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Photo of dolls from the collection of Itske and Anthony Stern. This photo was presented during a public program, Kokeshi: Not Just a Toy!, at the Japanese American National Museum on July 25, 2009 in conjunction with the Kokeshi: From Folk Art to Art Toy exhibition on display from July 11 through October 4, 2009.
Accompanying text from the original PowerPoint slide:
Naruko “sitting” dolls are called nemoriko dolls, indicated by the kimono spreading around the sitting person. Other strains of kokeshi also have the nemoriko style.
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COPYRIGHT 2005 - ITSKE STERN

Yajiro Dolls
Yajiro dolls are easily recognizable by their signature waistline and colors. This doll has a dominant yellow base for its body with purple, black, blue and red designs. The various patterns range from stripes to flowers. Some of these dolls also have a topknot hairdo.
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Photo of dolls from the collection of Itske and Anthony Stern. This photo was presented during a public program, Kokeshi: Not Just a Toy!, at the Japanese American National Museum on July 25, 2009 in conjunction with the Kokeshi: From Folk Art to Art Toy exhibition on display from July 11 through October 4, 2009.
Accompanying text from the original PowerPoint slide:
Yajiro dolls are easily recognizable by their signature waistline and colors. This doll has a dominant yellow base for its body with purple, black, blue and red designs. The various patterns range from stripes to flowers. Some of these dolls also have a topknot hairdo.
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COPYRIGHT 2005 - ITSKE STERN

Oshin (Naruko) Dolls (Oshin (Naruko) Dolls)
Oshin dolls are designed after the Naruko doll with their distinctive shoulders. These pretty ladies were made after a very popular serialized telvision program featuring “Oshin,” a poor woman who overcomes hardships to make a better life. When the program was finished, its popularity among the Asian community created the demand for a doll to be made in the memory of Oshin.
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Photo of dolls from the collection of Itske and Anthony Stern. This photo was presented during a public program, Kokeshi: Not Just a Toy!, at the Japanese American National Museum on July 25, 2009 in conjunction with the Kokeshi: From Folk Art to Art Toy exhibition on display from July 11 through October 4, 2009.
Accompanying text from the original PowerPoint slide:
Oshin dolls are designed after the Naruko doll with their distinctive shoulders. These pretty ladies were made after a very popular serialized telvision program featuring “Oshin,” a poor woman who overcomes hardships to make a better life. When the program was finished, its popularity among the Asian community created the demand for a doll to be made in the memory of Oshin.
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COPYRIGHT 2005 - ITSKE STERN

Hijiori Dolls
These very distinctive dolls have a very heavy hairline and “sanpaku” eyes (three line eyes). Made only by a handful of dollmakers they tend to be more expensive than most kokeshi dolls because there are so few makers of this style.
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Photo of dolls from the collection of Itske and Anthony Stern. This photo was presented during a public program, Kokeshi: Not Just a Toy!, at the Japanese American National Museum on July 25, 2009 in conjunction with the Kokeshi: From Folk Art to Art Toy exhibition on display from July 11 through October 4, 2009.
Accompanying text from the original PowerPoint slide:
These very distinctive dolls have a very heavy hairline and “sanpaku” eyes (three line eyes). Made only by a handful of dollmakers they tend to be more expensive than most kokeshi dolls because there are so few makers of this style.
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COPYRIGHT 2005 - ITSKE STERN

Togatta Dolls (Tohgatta Dolls)
The dolls from Togatta are recognized by the very distinctive head design with the red petals along the sides of the heads. There are many different designs painted on the bodies ranging from diagonal red stripes, flowers kimono collars, and more.
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Photo of dolls from the collection of Itske and Anthony Stern. This photo was presented during a public program, Kokeshi: Not Just a Toy!, at the Japanese American National Museum on July 25, 2009 in conjunction with the Kokeshi: From Folk Art to Art Toy exhibition on display from July 11 through October 4, 2009.
Accompanying text from the original PowerPoint slide:
The dolls from Togatta are recognized by the very distinctive head design with the red petals along the sides of the heads. There are many different designs painted on the bodies ranging from diagonal red stripes, flowers kimono collars, and more.
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COPYRIGHT 2005 - ITSKE STERN

Tsugaru Dolls
These lovely dolls are distinguished by the Daruma pattern painted on them with stripes and camellias. I asked one of the dollmakers why the scary daruma was painted on it and he said it was to keep evil spirits away from children. These dolls also have a “bust” and waist. These dolls tend to be more expensive as they are not so common.
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Photo of Tsugaru-style kokeshi dolls from the collection of Itske and Anthony Stern. This photo was presented during a public program, Kokeshi: Not Just a Toy!, at the Japanese American National Museum on July 25, 2009 in conjunction with the Kokeshi: From Folk Art to Art Toy exhibition on display from July 11 through October 4, 2009.
Accompanying text from the original PowerPoint slide:
These lovely dolls are distinguished by the Daruma pattern painted on them with stripes and camellias. I asked one of the dollmakers why the scary daruma was painted on it and he said it was to keep evil spirits away from children. These dolls also have a “bust” and waist.
These dolls tend to be more expensive as they are not so common.
--
COPYRIGHT 2005 - ITSKE STERN

Sakunami Dolls
*Sakunami Kokeshi Dolls
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Photo of Sakunami-style kokeshi dolls from the collection of Itske and Anthony Stern. This photo was presented during a public program, Kokeshi: Not Just a Toy!, at the Japanese American National Museum on July 25, 2009 in conjunction with the Kokeshi: From Folk Art to Art Toy exhibition on display from July 11 through October 4, 2009.
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COPYRIGHT 2005 - ITSKE STERN

Nambu-Hanamaki Dolls
These dolls are characteristic of the Nambu area, lacking any design or painted color. The largest one here has two rings around the base and the doll and rings were made all from one piece of wood. The head is often loose.
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Photo of Nambu-Hanamaki-style kokeshi dolls from the collection of Itske and Anthony Stern. This photo was presented during a public program, Kokeshi: Not Just a Toy!, at the Japanese American National Museum on July 25, 2009 in conjunction with the Kokeshi: From Folk Art to Art Toy exhibition on display from July 11 through October 4, 2009.
Accompanying text from the original PowerPoint slide:
These dolls are characteristic of the Nambu area, lacking any design or painted color. The largest one here has two rings around the base and the doll and rings were made all from one piece of wood. The head is often loose.
--
COPYRIGHT 2005 - ITSKE STERN

Tsuchiyu Dolls
Tsuchiyu dolls are easily identified by their long, tubular, round shouldered shape and especially by the striped pattern on their body. The heads have a “bull’s eye” circular pattern. This will be explained later. The largest doll in the photo is the only one with two camellias on it , since usually there is only one. The dollmaker said that this was the only one he made with two on it. How lucky I was to have found such a rare doll!
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Photo of Tsuchiyu-style kokeshi dolls from the collection of Itske and Anthony Stern. This photo was presented during a public program, Kokeshi: Not Just a Toy!, at the Japanese American National Museum on July 25, 2009 in conjunction with the Kokeshi: From Folk Art to Art Toy exhibition on display from July 11 through October 4, 2009.
Accompanying text from the original PowerPoint slide:
Tsuchiyu dolls are easily identified by their long, tubular, round shouldered shape and especially by the striped pattern on their body. The heads have a “bull’s eye” circular pattern. This will be explained later. The largest doll in the photo is the only one with two camellias on it , since usually there is only one. The dollmaker said that this was the only one he made with two on it. How lucky I was to have found such a rare doll!
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COPYRIGHT 2005 - ITSKE STERN

Zao - Bikkuri Me Dolls (Surprised Eyes)
These are from the Zao- Shiroishi onsen (hot springs) and have the characteristic surprised eyes. Very cute.
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Photo of Zao-Bikkuri Me-style kokeshi dolls from the collection of Itske and Anthony Stern. This photo was presented during a public program, Kokeshi: Not Just a Toy!, at the Japanese American National Museum on July 25, 2009 in conjunction with the Kokeshi: From Folk Art to Art Toy exhibition on display from July 11 through October 4, 2009.
Accompanying text from the original PowerPoint slide:
These are from the Zao- Shiroishi onsen (hot springs) and have the characteristic surprised eyes. Very cute.
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COPYRIGHT 2005 - ITSKE STERN

Nakanosawa Dolls
Nakanosawa dolls are very distinctive dolls due to their atypical Japanese eyes surrounded by large, pink rims. This doll was made in tribute to a street entertainer who walked on his hands with a pillow between his knees and had make up similar to the faces of these dolls. After his death, people wanted a doll in his memory, so this doll was “born”.
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Photo of Nakanosawa-style kokeshi dolls from the collection of Itske and Anthony Stern. This photo was presented during a public program, Kokeshi: Not Just a Toy!, at the Japanese American National Museum on July 25, 2009 in conjunction with the Kokeshi: From Folk Art to Art Toy exhibition on display from July 11 through October 4, 2009.
Accompanying text from the original PowerPoint slide:
Nakanosawa dolls are very distinctive dolls due to their atypical Japanese eyes surrounded by large, pink rims. This doll was made in tribute to a street entertainer who walked on his hands with a pillow between his knees and had make up similar to the faces of these dolls. After his death, people wanted a doll in his memory, so this doll was “born”.
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COPYRIGHT 2005 - ITSKE STERN

Kijiyama Dolls
Kijiyama dolls are made from one piece of wood and have a very distinctive pattern of kimono and obi.
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Photo of Kijiyama-style kokeshi dolls from the collection of Itske and Anthony Stern. This photo was presented during a public program, Kokeshi: Not Just a Toy!, at the Japanese American National Museum on July 25, 2009 in conjunction with the Kokeshi: From Folk Art to Art Toy exhibition on display from July 11 through October 4, 2009.
Accompanying text from the original PowerPoint slide:
Kijiyama dolls are made from one piece of wood and have a very distinctive pattern of kimono and obi.
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COPYRIGHT 2005 - ITSKE STERN

Naruko Dolls
Naruko kokeshi are distinguished by their sharp shoulders and a head that, when turned, makes a squeaking sound. This is the only doll that does so. Some of the newer ones have rounded shoulders like the one on the left of the screen.
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Photo of Naruko-style kokeshi dolls from the collection of Itske and Anthony Stern. This photo was presented during a public program, Kokeshi: Not Just a Toy!, at the Japanese American National Museum on July 25, 2009 in conjunction with the Kokeshi: From Folk Art to Art Toy exhibition on display from July 11 through October 4, 2009.
Accompanying text from the original PowerPoint slide:
Naruko kokeshi are distinguished by their sharp shoulders and a head that, when turned, makes a squeaking sound. This is the only doll that does so.
Some of the newer ones have rounded shoulders like the one on the left of the screen.
--
COPYRIGHT 2005 - ITSKE STERN

BEAUTIFUL KOKESHI DOLLS (Kokeshi dolls)
A UNIQUELY JAPANESE FOLK ART
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Photo of kokeshi dolls presented during a public program, Kokeshi: Not Just a Toy!, at the Japanese American National Museum on July 25, 2009 in conjunction with the Kokeshi: From Folk Art to Art Toy exhibition on display from July 11 through October 4, 2009.
This was photo was used for the opening slide of the PowerPoint presentation entitled "Beautiful Kokeshi Dolls: A Uniquely Japanese Folk Art"
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COPYRIGHT 2005 - ITSKE STERN
Take a fresh look at the traditional and iconic Japanese kokeshi folk toy by exploring its origins and history. This collection of photographs documents pieces from the extensive private collection of Itske and Anthony Stern. The photos and accompanying text were presented during a public program, Kokeshi: Not Just a Toy!, at the Japanese American National Museum on July 25, 2009 in conjunction with the Kokeshi: From Folk Art to Art Toy exhibition on display from July 11 through October 4, 2009. Collector Itske Stern, author of articles about kokeshi for Daruma magazine and other Japanese publications, and her husband Anthony, talked about the history of traditional kokeshi and their personal journey in collecting over 1,200 of these beautiful folk toys. To learn more about the exhibition, please visit the exhibition website: janm.org/exhibits/kokeshi
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