• en
Beautiful Kokeshi Dolls: A Uniquely Japanese Folk Art

ylkawashima
Licensing

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.

Based on this original

Oshin (Naruko) Dolls
uploaded by ylkawashima
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 … More »


Login or register
to contribute to the Nikkei Album

Coming in 2025

We are working on a new and improved Nikkei Album that will feature a modern design and streamlined process for uploading and editing. Until then, we are pausing the ability to add new albums. Check our Project Updates page to learn more about our redesign and expansion project!

Browse the Nikkei Album

Get updates

Sign up for email updates

Journal feed
Events feed
Comments feed

Support this project

Discover Nikkei

Discover Nikkei is a place to connect with others and share the Nikkei experience. To continue to sustain and grow this project, we need your help!

Ways to help >>

A project of the Japanese American National Museum


The Nippon Foundation