Kokeshi

Kokeshi

nihongo|Kokeshi|小芥子|kokeshi, are Japanese dolls, originally from northern Japan. They are handmade from wood, have a simple trunk and an enlarged head with a few thin, painted lines to define the face. The body has a floral design painted in red, black, and sometimes yellow, and covered with a layer of wax. One characteristic of Kokeshi dolls is their lack of arms or legs. The bottom is marked with the signature of the artist.

Kokeshi was first produced by Kiji-shi (wood artisans) in Shinchi, in Togatta/Miyagi Prefecture from where Kokeshi making techniques spread to other spa areas in the Tōhoku Region. It is said that these dolls were originally made from the middle of the Edo period (1600-1868) to be sold to people who were visiting the hot springs in the north-east of the country.

"Traditional" Kokeshi (Dento) dolls shapes and patterns became particular to a certain area and are classified under eleven types including: Tsuchiyu, Togatta, Yajiro, Naruko, Sakunami, Yamagata, Kijiyama, Nanbu, Tsugaru, Zao-takayu, and Hijioro. The most dominant type is the Naruko variety originally made in Miyagi Prefecture, which can also be found in Akita, Iwate, and Yamagata prefectures. The main street of the Naruko Hot Spring resort is known as Kokeshi Street and has shops which are operated directly by the Kokeshi carvers.

"Creative" Kokeshi (Shingata) allow the artist complete freedom in terms of shape, design and color and were developed after World War II (1945). They are not particular to a specific region of Japan and generally creative Kokeshi artists are found in the cities.

The woods used for Kokeshi vary with cherry used for its darkness and dogwood which is softer. Itaya-kaede, a Japanese maple is also used. In the creation of both traditional and creative dolls. The wood is left outdoors to season for one to five years before it can be used.

External links

* [http://www.japanese-doll.biz/group/kokeshi-doll.html Description of Kokeshi production]
* [http://www.weirdasianews.com/japanese-kokeshi-dolls/ History of Kokeshi Dolls with picture and video detailing creation process.]
* [http://www.dollsofjapan.co.uk An information resource that details the history and traditions of creative and traditional kokeshi dolls, daruma dolls and hakata dolls and to give an insight into these beautiful pieces of art.]


Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Поможем написать реферат

Look at other dictionaries:

  • Kokeshi — Artisan fabriquant une poupée kokeshi L …   Wikipédia en Français

  • Kokeshi — (こけし), son unas muñecas tradicionales japonesas, originales de la región Tohoku, al norte de Japón. Hechas a mano con madera se caracterizan por tener un tronco simple y una cabeza redondeada pintada con líneas sencillas para definir el rostro.… …   Wikipedia Español

  • Kokeshi — (jap. こけし, 小芥子) sind ein für Japan charakteristisches traditionelles, kunsthandwerklich hergestelltes Spielzeug. Es handelt sich um aus Obstbaum Holz gedrechselte Figuren, welche eine stark simplifizierte Form aufweisen, und Mädchen darstellen …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • Kokeshi creativa — [1] [cita requerida] ↑ Kokeshi es una muñeca japonesa de madera Una muñeca japonesa o kokeshi creativa, es una popular muñeca hecha de madera, de origen japonés. El término creativa tiene un significado. Significa que es una muñeca creada al …   Wikipedia Español

  • kokeshi — (jap.) Pequeños munecos de madera, que a veces se presentan unos dentro de otros …   Diccionario Lunfardo

  • kokeshi — …   Useful english dictionary

  • Dento Kokeshi-no-Yado Shosenkaku — (Zao Onsen,Япония) Категория отеля: 3 звездочный отель Адрес: 990 2 …   Каталог отелей

  • こけし — Kokeshi Trois kokeshi à « perruque » …   Wikipédia en Français

  • 小芥子 — Kokeshi Trois kokeshi à « perruque » …   Wikipédia en Français

  • Brian Sherwin — (born January 22, 1980) is an American art critic, writer, and Senior Editor on myartspace, where he has written an extensive interview series with both emerging and established artists. Life and workBrian Sherwin is the Senior Editor for… …   Wikipedia

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”