Kokeshi dolls encapsulate centuries of Japanese design; amalgamating rich history with a distinctive, contemporary vitality that is manifested through bold colours and uncomplicated lines.
- Egao , Smiling Face
- Wasshoi Onna , Good Luck Girl
- Wasshoi Otoko , Good Luck Boy
Each Kokeshi doll is named by the artist who created it. From the smooth serenity of ‘Shiawase' to ‘Hana-fubuki's' dainty kimono, every Kokeshi doll emanates its own individual spirit.
Kokeshi dolls originate from the Tohoku region of Northern Japan, an area well-known for its onsen (hot spring) resorts. These handmade wooden dolls are thought to date back to the early 19th century when kijiya (woodworkers), accustomed to making bowls and trays, began using their woodworking skills and lathes to make simple dolls to sell as toys and souvenirs to the onsen visitors. The dolls may originally have had a spiritual significance with the kokeshi representing a wish for a healthy child. It has also been suggested that kokeshi, with their round heads and limbless bodies probably made in an unpainted form originally, were used as massage tools by spa bathers. The name 'kokeshi' itself is thought to derive from a combination of names given to the wooden dolls in the various areas of their manufacture.
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