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Beautiful Kokeshi Dolls: A Uniquely Japanese Folk Art

Tsugaru Dolls


Published: Aug. 6, 2009 Modified: Feb. 11, 2025

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.

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COPYRIGHT 2005 - ITSKE STERN


Aomori Prefecture arts dolls exhibitions Japanese American National Museum Japanese American National Museum (organization) kokeshi dolls traditions Tsugaru

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Beautiful Kokeshi Dolls: A Uniquely Japanese Folk Art
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 an…
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