[Kokeshi:a wooden doll]
Kokeshi started at the end of the Edo period. It is made with potter’s wheel and grind the wood to human figure toy.
In North-East of Japan, there is a hot spring place called Naruko Onsenkyo, which is famous of “ Naruko Kokeshi”. This local specialty was original focus on people who love to take a hot spring to cure the disease. But later, it became popular around Japan.
The basic Kokeshi is with a round head and a cylinder body only. However, there are many versions of design according to the local area.
Right now, there is a festival called “National Kokeshi Festival”in Osaki city in Miyagi prefecture. It has been already held around 60 years. It is a famous festival to gather and meet all area’s Kokeshi masters together.
