| Id# | Name | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1996.010.072 | Figurine Set | Kokeshi style wood figure of 7 happy gods on platform, four figures are loose A: 3 painted wood figures glued to wood rectangular platform. "Bishamon", god of the North, war, glory; nodding round head, brown painted helmet with gold spikes and white rivets, painted black eyebrows, eyes, red dots for nose and mouth; painted black robe with brown collar, blue sleeves, gold clasp in front, tan belt, blue pants, painted yellow bow, gray sword. "Jurojin", god of longevity; nodding round head, painted red hat with yellow design, painted black eyebrows, eyes, nose, red mouth, white whiskers; painted blue robe with white dots and light blue collar with yellow outline and design; painted white crane with red crown, yellow bill at lower front. "Daikoku", god of wealth, riches; nodding round head, painted red short cap with gold design in front, light blue ring around bottom of cap, painted blue eyebrows, black eyes, nose, and sideburns, red mouth, painted red curliques on each side of his head; painted green robe with brown dots, painted brown miner's hammer in hand, painted large white sack over his shoulder. On upper part of platform is written in ink the names of the 7 happy gods: "Bishamon", "Jurojin", "Hotei", "Ebisu", "Daikoku", "Benzaiten", "Fukurokuju"; on the bottom is written in ink a description of the figures: "1. god of glory--warrior, 2. god of longevity, 3. children's patron saint, 4. god of plenty, 5. god of wealth, 6. goddess of great beauty, 7. god of good fortune, wisdom", "Georgia Sealoff, 1952"; written in pencil: "which is longer--head of F. or a spring day? No one can tell--both are so long" (referring to Fukurokuju and his tall forehead). B: "Hotei" H: 1.5", round nodding head, bald with red curliques on each side of head, painted black eyebrows, nose, eyes, red mouth, round body with bare chest, painted red robe with black collar, blue and white painted design. C: "Ebisu" (Yebisu), god of fishers and commerce, H: 1.75", round nodding head, bald with painted gold rounded cap with blue trim and chin strap, red curliques at both sides of head, gray eyebrows, black eyes, nose, red mouth; painted yellow robe, white bib-like garment showing in front and back, with brown sash, green skirt or pants, holding a painted red and gold fish. D: "Benzaiten" (Benten), H: 1.75", nodding round head with shaped topknot, painted black hair in a bun with pink and yellow hair decoration in front, 2 black dots on forehead, black eyes, nose, red mouth; painted peachy red robe with red dots and purple and white shawl, folded arms with yellow obi? with red dots showing above, holding something brown with white dots, purple trim on sleeves, brown patch with white hachi design in lower front. E: "Fukurokuju" H: 2", nodding egg shaped head, bald, painted gray forehead wrinkles, white eyebrows, black eyes, black nose, red mouth, white whiskers with grey streaks, red curliques on each side of head; painted blue robe with white dots, yellow underrobe, painted brown staff. 7 GODS OF HAPPINESS "Their origin has been traced back to the days of the Shogun Yemitsu, and the story is told that they were the outcome of a dream. Yemitsu awoke one morning on the first day of the year 1624 and his spirit was troubled. A famous courtier of the Shogun, the wise Dai Oino Kami persuaded his master that the seven monsters who had frightened him were none other than the disguised gods, the seven gods of happiness or good fortune, paying him a visit at the advent of a New Year. His cleverness convinced Yemitsu, and showed him a list borrowed from the divinities of the 3 religions: Shintoism, Buddhism and Taoism. Taoism: EBISU or YEBISU, god of the fishers, of commerce and of daily food***; Taoism: JUROJIN, god of longevity, round-headed, smiling, sometimes accompanied by a deer or stork, and FUKUROKUJU, god of wisdom, having a long head; Buddhism: BISHAMON, god of the North, god of war; DAIKOKU, god of riches, with money or rice-bag and a miner's hammer**; HOTEI, the fat-bellied, smiling god of contentment and gaiety, protector of children; BENTEN, goddess of beauty." From The ABC of Japanese Art by J.F. Blacker, p. 35, 36. "One of the many beliefs concerning the Seven Lucky Gods of Japan is that during the first 3 days of the NEW YEAR, they become sailors and command a magic ship called the TAKARABUNE, treasure ship. It is said that the gods steer the treasure ship from heaven into human ports every New Year's Eve. On the second eveing of the new year, it is the custom to place a picture of the seven gods on the treasure ship under one's pillow to induce "hatsuyume", lucky first dreams of the year. A lucky dream indicates that the remainder of the year will be fortunate for that individual, if he does not reveal the dreams to anyone! The seven gods are a group of deities, whose origins stem from Indian, Chinese, and indigenous Japanese gods of fortune. Each of the seven gods has been recognized as a deity for more than a thousand years. Through the years, the gods have been transformed from impersonal deities to warmer and more benevolent patrons of profession, arts, and skills. Which is your Patron God? JUROJIN: God of Wisdom--Accountants, administrators, astronomers, clerks, engineers, inventors, journalists, judges, mathematicians, politicians, philosophers, professors, scientists, secretaries, teachers BENTEN: Goddess of Art--Actors, artists, beauticians, composers, dancers, entertainers, gamblers, musicians, painters, photographes, sculptors, writers BISHAMON: God of Honor--Defender against evil, clergymen, missionaries, physicians, dentists, nurses DAIKOKU: God of Wealth, Patron Saint of Farmers--bankers, carpenters, craftsmen, farmers, gardeners, financiers** EBISU: God of Good Fortune, God of Fair Dealing--attorneys, executives, fishermen, housewives, merchants, sailors*** FUKUROKUJU: God of Longevity--Athletes, chess players, scientists HOTEI: God of Magnanimity, Symbol of Happy Life, Guardian of Children--Fortune tellers, bartenders, cooks" From The Seven Lucky Gods published by Charles E. Tuttle Co. (see excerpt in "Festival--Japan" file) ***EBISU-KO FESTIVAL Ebisu is one of the Seven Gods of Fortune in Japan. It is said that when the Eight Million Deities of Japan assembled at the great shrine of Izumo to discuss momentous affairs and arrange for the marriages of Japanese maidens in the 10th month (October), which therefore is literally called Kanna-tsuki or "godless month" in Japan, meaning that all the gods are absent at Izumo, Ebisu was too busy fishing to hear the summons, and he remained at large. Hence he is also the patron of fishermen, and his statue always carries a Tai (sea-bream) and a fishing rod. The Ebisu-Ko Festival is held annually on the 20th day of the 10th month, when the tradesmen have a special celebration and give entertainments to their customers. They visit the Ebisu shrines, of which the Imamiya shrine near Osaka, is best known, and make offerings in order to insure their share of good luck during the coming year. Every pious visitor of the ebisu Shrine carries home a green branch of bamboo to which are tied the gaily colored good-luck charms and talismans: red cardboard tai (sea-bream), a picture of Ebisu himself, tokens symbolizing wealth, such as gilt paper shaped like the old doban-coins, treasure chests, purses, money-bags, rice-bales, dice suggesting luck, a target with an arrow in the bullseye as an appeal for success in undertakings of all kinds. At home the statues of Ebisu are displayed on a stand, and various kinds of edibles are offered to him, Tai (sea-bream) being one of the most important offerings at this festival. The chrysanthemum, which is at its best in October (of the Gregorian calendar), is also offered on the stand. **THE "NEW YEAR'S EVE" OF DAIKOKU Daikoku, another of the Seven Gods of Fortune, is always associated with Ebisu. He is of Indian origin, and his name is a translation of the Indian word "Mahakala" (great colour). In some localities in Japan, the "New Year's Eve" of Daikoku is observed on the 9th of December. Then all the statues of Daikoku and Ebisu that are in the family are displayed on a stand on which are offered various kinds of fruit, vegetables and sweetmeats. A forked radish is indispensable at this festival." from "Calendar of the Floral and Festival Land of Japan" published by Fujiya Hotel, Miyanoshita, Japan, see October, 1992.62.1 in Archives file. |
| 1996.010.072 | Figurine Set | Kokeshi style wood figure of 7 happy gods on platform, four figures are loose A: 3 painted wood figures glued to wood rectangular platform. "Bishamon", god of the North, war, glory; nodding round head, brown painted helmet with gold spikes and white rivets, painted black eyebrows, eyes, red dots for nose and mouth; painted black robe with brown collar, blue sleeves, gold clasp in front, tan belt, blue pants, painted yellow bow, gray sword. "Jurojin", god of longevity; nodding round head, painted red hat with yellow design, painted black eyebrows, eyes, nose, red mouth, white whiskers; painted blue robe with white dots and light blue collar with yellow outline and design; painted white crane with red crown, yellow bill at lower front. "Daikoku", god of wealth, riches; nodding round head, painted red short cap with gold design in front, light blue ring around bottom of cap, painted blue eyebrows, black eyes, nose, and sideburns, red mouth, painted red curliques on each side of his head; painted green robe with brown dots, painted brown miner's hammer in hand, painted large white sack over his shoulder. On upper part of platform is written in ink the names of the 7 happy gods: "Bishamon", "Jurojin", "Hotei", "Ebisu", "Daikoku", "Benzaiten", "Fukurokuju"; on the bottom is written in ink a description of the figures: "1. god of glory--warrior, 2. god of longevity, 3. children's patron saint, 4. god of plenty, 5. god of wealth, 6. goddess of great beauty, 7. god of good fortune, wisdom", "Georgia Sealoff, 1952"; written in pencil: "which is longer--head of F. or a spring day? No one can tell--both are so long" (referring to Fukurokuju and his tall forehead). B: "Hotei" H: 1.5", round nodding head, bald with red curliques on each side of head, painted black eyebrows, nose, eyes, red mouth, round body with bare chest, painted red robe with black collar, blue and white painted design. C: "Ebisu" (Yebisu), god of fishers and commerce, H: 1.75", round nodding head, bald with painted gold rounded cap with blue trim and chin strap, red curliques at both sides of head, gray eyebrows, black eyes, nose, red mouth; painted yellow robe, white bib-like garment showing in front and back, with brown sash, green skirt or pants, holding a painted red and gold fish. D: "Benzaiten" (Benten), H: 1.75", nodding round head with shaped topknot, painted black hair in a bun with pink and yellow hair decoration in front, 2 black dots on forehead, black eyes, nose, red mouth; painted peachy red robe with red dots and purple and white shawl, folded arms with yellow obi? with red dots showing above, holding something brown with white dots, purple trim on sleeves, brown patch with white hachi design in lower front. E: "Fukurokuju" H: 2", nodding egg shaped head, bald, painted gray forehead wrinkles, white eyebrows, black eyes, black nose, red mouth, white whiskers with grey streaks, red curliques on each side of head; painted blue robe with white dots, yellow underrobe, painted brown staff. 7 GODS OF HAPPINESS "Their origin has been traced back to the days of the Shogun Yemitsu, and the story is told that they were the outcome of a dream. Yemitsu awoke one morning on the first day of the year 1624 and his spirit was troubled. A famous courtier of the Shogun, the wise Dai Oino Kami persuaded his master that the seven monsters who had frightened him were none other than the disguised gods, the seven gods of happiness or good fortune, paying him a visit at the advent of a New Year. His cleverness convinced Yemitsu, and showed him a list borrowed from the divinities of the 3 religions: Shintoism, Buddhism and Taoism. Taoism: EBISU or YEBISU, god of the fishers, of commerce and of daily food***; Taoism: JUROJIN, god of longevity, round-headed, smiling, sometimes accompanied by a deer or stork, and FUKUROKUJU, god of wisdom, having a long head; Buddhism: BISHAMON, god of the North, god of war; DAIKOKU, god of riches, with money or rice-bag and a miner's hammer**; HOTEI, the fat-bellied, smiling god of contentment and gaiety, protector of children; BENTEN, goddess of beauty." From The ABC of Japanese Art by J.F. Blacker, p. 35, 36. "One of the many beliefs concerning the Seven Lucky Gods of Japan is that during the first 3 days of the NEW YEAR, they become sailors and command a magic ship called the TAKARABUNE, treasure ship. It is said that the gods steer the treasure ship from heaven into human ports every New Year's Eve. On the second eveing of the new year, it is the custom to place a picture of the seven gods on the treasure ship under one's pillow to induce "hatsuyume", lucky first dreams of the year. A lucky dream indicates that the remainder of the year will be fortunate for that individual, if he does not reveal the dreams to anyone! The seven gods are a group of deities, whose origins stem from Indian, Chinese, and indigenous Japanese gods of fortune. Each of the seven gods has been recognized as a deity for more than a thousand years. Through the years, the gods have been transformed from impersonal deities to warmer and more benevolent patrons of profession, arts, and skills. Which is your Patron God? JUROJIN: God of Wisdom--Accountants, administrators, astronomers, clerks, engineers, inventors, journalists, judges, mathematicians, politicians, philosophers, professors, scientists, secretaries, teachers BENTEN: Goddess of Art--Actors, artists, beauticians, composers, dancers, entertainers, gamblers, musicians, painters, photographes, sculptors, writers BISHAMON: God of Honor--Defender against evil, clergymen, missionaries, physicians, dentists, nurses DAIKOKU: God of Wealth, Patron Saint of Farmers--bankers, carpenters, craftsmen, farmers, gardeners, financiers** EBISU: God of Good Fortune, God of Fair Dealing--attorneys, executives, fishermen, housewives, merchants, sailors*** FUKUROKUJU: God of Longevity--Athletes, chess players, scientists HOTEI: God of Magnanimity, Symbol of Happy Life, Guardian of Children--Fortune tellers, bartenders, cooks" From The Seven Lucky Gods published by Charles E. Tuttle Co. (see excerpt in "Festival--Japan" file) ***EBISU-KO FESTIVAL Ebisu is one of the Seven Gods of Fortune in Japan. It is said that when the Eight Million Deities of Japan assembled at the great shrine of Izumo to discuss momentous affairs and arrange for the marriages of Japanese maidens in the 10th month (October), which therefore is literally called Kanna-tsuki or "godless month" in Japan, meaning that all the gods are absent at Izumo, Ebisu was too busy fishing to hear the summons, and he remained at large. Hence he is also the patron of fishermen, and his statue always carries a Tai (sea-bream) and a fishing rod. The Ebisu-Ko Festival is held annually on the 20th day of the 10th month, when the tradesmen have a special celebration and give entertainments to their customers. They visit the Ebisu shrines, of which the Imamiya shrine near Osaka, is best known, and make offerings in order to insure their share of good luck during the coming year. Every pious visitor of the ebisu Shrine carries home a green branch of bamboo to which are tied the gaily colored good-luck charms and talismans: red cardboard tai (sea-bream), a picture of Ebisu himself, tokens symbolizing wealth, such as gilt paper shaped like the old doban-coins, treasure chests, purses, money-bags, rice-bales, dice suggesting luck, a target with an arrow in the bullseye as an appeal for success in undertakings of all kinds. At home the statues of Ebisu are displayed on a stand, and various kinds of edibles are offered to him, Tai (sea-bream) being one of the most important offerings at this festival. The chrysanthemum, which is at its best in October (of the Gregorian calendar), is also offered on the stand. **THE "NEW YEAR'S EVE" OF DAIKOKU Daikoku, another of the Seven Gods of Fortune, is always associated with Ebisu. He is of Indian origin, and his name is a translation of the Indian word "Mahakala" (great colour). In some localities in Japan, the "New Year's Eve" of Daikoku is observed on the 9th of December. Then all the statues of Daikoku and Ebisu that are in the family are displayed on a stand on which are offered various kinds of fruit, vegetables and sweetmeats. A forked radish is indispensable at this festival." from "Calendar of the Floral and Festival Land of Japan" published by Fujiya Hotel, Miyanoshita, Japan, see October, 1992.62.1 in Archives file. |
| 1996.010.073 | Figurine Set | Wood Figurine Set: Two people in Ox costumes playing drums A: Black painted carved wood, left one is taller, both have black head and torso, painted white ladder design with white dots on front, white flower dots on either side of head, 2 kanji characters on back of head "Kasuga" and below painted red flower with yellow center and green leaves, turquoise leaves on smaller flower, bottom has white black and red stripes, yellow patch on either side of figure, white circle with brown X beside the yellow; gold eyes, gold and red mouth and snout, tufts of white fiber hair on forehead, split bamboo horns, 2 split bamboo strips glued onto the back of each extending upward with white stripes painted on the front (the 2 on figure have come off); feet are painted white with gold sandal straps; holding round drum in front with red with pink flowers, green leaves and white striking surface, cut bamboo sticks extend out each side of drums. Both figures are glued to a painted black rectangular base. B & C: 2 split bamboo strips which were glued to the back of the right figure extending upward with white stripes painted on the front. Possibly connected with the celebration of the rice day festival. |
| 1996.010.073 | Figurine Set | Wood Figurine Set: Two people in Ox costumes playing drums A: Black painted carved wood, left one is taller, both have black head and torso, painted white ladder design with white dots on front, white flower dots on either side of head, 2 kanji characters on back of head "Kasuga" and below painted red flower with yellow center and green leaves, turquoise leaves on smaller flower, bottom has white black and red stripes, yellow patch on either side of figure, white circle with brown X beside the yellow; gold eyes, gold and red mouth and snout, tufts of white fiber hair on forehead, split bamboo horns, 2 split bamboo strips glued onto the back of each extending upward with white stripes painted on the front (the 2 on figure have come off); feet are painted white with gold sandal straps; holding round drum in front with red with pink flowers, green leaves and white striking surface, cut bamboo sticks extend out each side of drums. Both figures are glued to a painted black rectangular base. B & C: 2 split bamboo strips which were glued to the back of the right figure extending upward with white stripes painted on the front. Possibly connected with the celebration of the rice day festival. |
| 1996.010.074 | Figurine Set | Model of Cormorant fishing from Ugi, Japan Pine cone figures in pine cone boats on a wood platform. On the left is a boat made of a split pine cone, one adult on left with pine cone body and round head with painted black hair, (painted face has rubbed off) holds a pole, two children on right with pine cone bodies and round heads with painted black hair and facial features, standing under a the top of a pine cone canopy held by two sticks with 5 red ball shaped lanterns with white markings hanging down; on the right is a split pine cone boat with wood projections at each end, on top are three pine cone figures, the two on the left are wearing eboshi black hats (one has a broken top), black hair (faces are worn off), each holding 5 strings that entend to the cormorants which are made of seeds and small branch like necks and heads; the figure on the right is larger and hold a pole; on the left end of the boat is a twig with a small pine cone and red cotton batting representing the fire from a torch. The boats and birds are glued to a painted base which is blue with white and yellow wave pattern. It is stored in a grey lidded cardboard box with a blue, green and white label with kanji: "Famous Gifu Souvenir to be given as present", also written in ink is "Ugi Cormorant Fishing". |
| 1996.010.074 | Figurine Set | Model of Cormorant fishing from Ugi, Japan Pine cone figures in pine cone boats on a wood platform. On the left is a boat made of a split pine cone, one adult on left with pine cone body and round head with painted black hair, (painted face has rubbed off) holds a pole, two children on right with pine cone bodies and round heads with painted black hair and facial features, standing under a the top of a pine cone canopy held by two sticks with 5 red ball shaped lanterns with white markings hanging down; on the right is a split pine cone boat with wood projections at each end, on top are three pine cone figures, the two on the left are wearing eboshi black hats (one has a broken top), black hair (faces are worn off), each holding 5 strings that entend to the cormorants which are made of seeds and small branch like necks and heads; the figure on the right is larger and hold a pole; on the left end of the boat is a twig with a small pine cone and red cotton batting representing the fire from a torch. The boats and birds are glued to a painted base which is blue with white and yellow wave pattern. It is stored in a grey lidded cardboard box with a blue, green and white label with kanji: "Famous Gifu Souvenir to be given as present", also written in ink is "Ugi Cormorant Fishing". |
| 1996.010.075 | Dolls | 3 Kokeshi style wood figures, old couple and baby (possibly refers to story of the Peach Boy, Momotaro) A: Old woman with a swivel head shaped like an egg with point in back with a knob for her bun, painted white hair with grey streaks in front and black bun cover with reddish brown dots in back, painted black forehead wrinkles, eyes, white eyebrows, nose, red mouth, painted cheek wrinkles; body is turned wood in shape of piece of bamboo with painted silver bamboo leaves outlined with black stalks in front. B: Old man with a swivel head shaped like an egg with point in back with a knob, painted white hair and reddish brown hat with black spots at back, grey forehead wrinkles, black eyes, white eyebrows, nose, mustache and beard, red mouth; body is turned wood in shape of piece of bamboo with painted gold bamboo leaves outlined with black stalks in front. C: Baby's head, pointed oval with black painted hair in front and sides, painted white, blue & red decoration in hair, 2 black dots on forehead, 2 red dots on either side of head (ears?), black eyes, white nose, red mouth, wood stem that fits into body. D: Baby's body, turned wood in shape of bamboo with a slanted top where head fits into hole, painted design on front of white plum blossoms with red center, grey branches, blue sky patches and gold round sun. |
| 1996.010.075 | Dolls | 3 Kokeshi style wood figures, old couple and baby (possibly refers to story of the Peach Boy, Momotaro) A: Old woman with a swivel head shaped like an egg with point in back with a knob for her bun, painted white hair with grey streaks in front and black bun cover with reddish brown dots in back, painted black forehead wrinkles, eyes, white eyebrows, nose, red mouth, painted cheek wrinkles; body is turned wood in shape of piece of bamboo with painted silver bamboo leaves outlined with black stalks in front. B: Old man with a swivel head shaped like an egg with point in back with a knob, painted white hair and reddish brown hat with black spots at back, grey forehead wrinkles, black eyes, white eyebrows, nose, mustache and beard, red mouth; body is turned wood in shape of piece of bamboo with painted gold bamboo leaves outlined with black stalks in front. C: Baby's head, pointed oval with black painted hair in front and sides, painted white, blue & red decoration in hair, 2 black dots on forehead, 2 red dots on either side of head (ears?), black eyes, white nose, red mouth, wood stem that fits into body. D: Baby's body, turned wood in shape of bamboo with a slanted top where head fits into hole, painted design on front of white plum blossoms with red center, grey branches, blue sky patches and gold round sun. |
| 1996.010.076 | Figures | Pair of wood figures (Shogi peg for game) A: Round wood painted and varnished head with painted black hair on top with orange bow and on each side of head is black hair with 3 orange dots, painted black eyebrows, eyes, nose, red mouth; angular shaped upper and lower body blocks held by vertical dowel to wood platform, red painted kanji on the front of the body "Silver Knight, King", black squares painted on rectangular base, orange and white braided cord (kumihimo) tied in a bow around waist. B: Round wood painted and varnished head with painted black hair on top with green bow and on each side of head is black hair with 3 green dots, painted black eyebrows, eyes, nose, red mouth; angular shaped upper and lower body blocks held by vertical dowel to wood platform, black painted kanji "Golden Knight, King" on the front of the body, black squares painted on rectangular base, purple and white braided cord (kumihimo) tied in a bow around waist. |
| 1996.010.076 | Figures | Pair of wood figures (Shogi peg for game) A: Round wood painted and varnished head with painted black hair on top with orange bow and on each side of head is black hair with 3 orange dots, painted black eyebrows, eyes, nose, red mouth; angular shaped upper and lower body blocks held by vertical dowel to wood platform, red painted kanji on the front of the body "Silver Knight, King", black squares painted on rectangular base, orange and white braided cord (kumihimo) tied in a bow around waist. B: Round wood painted and varnished head with painted black hair on top with green bow and on each side of head is black hair with 3 green dots, painted black eyebrows, eyes, nose, red mouth; angular shaped upper and lower body blocks held by vertical dowel to wood platform, black painted kanji "Golden Knight, King" on the front of the body, black squares painted on rectangular base, purple and white braided cord (kumihimo) tied in a bow around waist. |
| 1996.010.077 | Scrapbook of Kokeshi Dolls | Scrapbook with information about Kokeshi Dolls Brown cover with a lighter brown rectangle surrounding a black diamond shape in the center of the front cover, back cover is plain, both have brown cloth reinforcing tape along spine edges and are tied together with a brown cord running through metal eyelets. Inside there are 40 construction paper pages (first page is loose) on which figures, cards, photographs, toothpick dolls and newspaper articles are glued. Inside front cover: 8 flat wood kokeshi shaped figures painted in different designs p. 1: 7 papers with printed pictures of kokeshi, 1 card with photograph of donor and group, written at bottom of page "Georgia Sealoff, Visiting Faculty, Japan Library School, Keio University, Tokyo, Japan, 1952-195.." p. 2: Tokyo Evening News, 10/26/53 3 news photos of kokeshi production p. 3,4: 4 cards with printed pictures of kokeshi, 2 news articles in Japanese, paper: Y. Yamada... p. 5: Photograph of kokeshi dolls, "Doll Collection of Georgia Sealoff (old style kokeshi)" p. 6: 3 news articles--Kanzashi Kokeshi (Yamagata Pref.), Yajiro Kokeshi (Miyagi Pref.), Japanese article by Takio Shikama p. 7: Photograph of kokeshi dolls, "Doll Collection of Georgia Sealoff (modern style kokeshi)" p. 8,9: 2 news articles, Photograph of kokeshi dolls, "Dolls of Georgia Sealoff" p. 10: Letter in Japanese "Yuundo, Yamada", 2 paper dolls--one with a toothpick doll inserted, 1 paper toothpick holder with a toothpick doll inserted, "Tothpick of Kokeshi Doll" p. 11: 3 envelopes with Japanese letters inside which have painted flowers p. 12: 1 paper in Japanese and 1 booklet on kokeshi in Japanese p. 13: 2 photographs of kokeshi dolls "Collections of Georgia Sealoff", Christmas card with flat padded kokeshi figures on front from Fumiko, empty envelope from Toshio Okabe, woodblock print card of 2 kokeshi figures "Merry Xmas, GLS" p. 14: 7 business cards from Kokeshi Doll Assn. people p. 15: 4 photographs: group at table, 2 of donor, kokeshi collection "Georgia Sealoff attends monthly meeting", booklet in Japanese with donor's photograph p. 16: Lined paper with Tokyo Kokeshi Friendship Association meeting agenda in pencil, card in Japanese p. 17: Photograph of children in traditional dress looking at 2 giant paper mache kokeshi dolls, 3 pamphlet pages and 1 news article in Japanese with pictures of kokeshi and their makers "Naruko spring, Miyagi Pref.", small kokeshi envelope inserted p. 18: 3 writing papers with handpainted kokeshi figures p. 19: 4 writing papers and envelopes, 1 bookmark with handpainted or block printed kokeshi figures, news article "...T.B. Seals..." with picture of kokeshi doll "Nippon 1952" p. 20,21: 4 cards with kokeshi figures; 3 cards, 3 bookmarks with kokeshi figures p. 22,23: 8 cards with kokeshi figures p. 24,25: 3 envelopes, 1 card, 6 bookmarks with kokeshi figures p. 26: Book advertisement, paper in Japanese, pencilled meeting agenda p. 27: Seattle Times Pictorial supplement with article "Japanese Tolk Toys Tell History Lesson" featuring donor p. 28: News article "Lifelike Folk Dolls, rice paper printed in Japanese p. 29: Letter to Mr. Nishida outlining donor's kokeshi research, and translation from Mr. Kagayama p. 30,31: Meeting notices, article in Japanese, letter from Kenjin Yamada p. 32,33: Newspaper articles in Japanese p. 34: Photograph of children in traditional dress looking at 2 giant paper mache kokeshi figures, 2 cards with woodblock printed kokeshi figures p. 35: Letter in Japanese, 2 photographs of Japanese mask collection, kokeshi shaped card inserted p. 36,37: 3 samples of wrapping paper with kokeshi p. 38,39: 10 cards with kokeshi figures (1 loose) p. 40,41: 3 paper napkins, 3 samples of stamps with kokeshi figures p. 42,43: 5 cards with kokeshi figures p. 44,45: 4 Japanese booklets with kokeshi figures p. 46,47: 5 cards (4 with padded figures), envelope containing 5 paper stencils and numerous stencilled squares with kokeshi figures p. 48,49: 1 card, 1 paper wrapper, 3 bookmarks, 2 news articles and 1 silkscreened card with kokeshi figures p. 50,51: 2 photographs or donor with kimono clad women with parasols and with paper mache ox (used in Seattle Times) p. 52,53: 2 photographs: daruma and wooden horses p. 54,55: Paper "children who won prizes for parade at kokeshi festival...", Northwest Orient Air: "Story of Kokeshi Dolls" p. 56,57: "Pictorial map of Japan" by Radio Japan, 2 articles on "Kokeshi Doll" p. 58,59: 3 cards with kokeshi figures In envelope attached to last page: 17 articles in Japanese with kokeshi figures labelled "Kokeshi and Folk arts research bulletins" |
| 1996.010.077 | Scrapbook of Kokeshi Dolls | Scrapbook with information about Kokeshi Dolls Brown cover with a lighter brown rectangle surrounding a black diamond shape in the center of the front cover, back cover is plain, both have brown cloth reinforcing tape along spine edges and are tied together with a brown cord running through metal eyelets. Inside there are 40 construction paper pages (first page is loose) on which figures, cards, photographs, toothpick dolls and newspaper articles are glued. Inside front cover: 8 flat wood kokeshi shaped figures painted in different designs p. 1: 7 papers with printed pictures of kokeshi, 1 card with photograph of donor and group, written at bottom of page "Georgia Sealoff, Visiting Faculty, Japan Library School, Keio University, Tokyo, Japan, 1952-195.." p. 2: Tokyo Evening News, 10/26/53 3 news photos of kokeshi production p. 3,4: 4 cards with printed pictures of kokeshi, 2 news articles in Japanese, paper: Y. Yamada... p. 5: Photograph of kokeshi dolls, "Doll Collection of Georgia Sealoff (old style kokeshi)" p. 6: 3 news articles--Kanzashi Kokeshi (Yamagata Pref.), Yajiro Kokeshi (Miyagi Pref.), Japanese article by Takio Shikama p. 7: Photograph of kokeshi dolls, "Doll Collection of Georgia Sealoff (modern style kokeshi)" p. 8,9: 2 news articles, Photograph of kokeshi dolls, "Dolls of Georgia Sealoff" p. 10: Letter in Japanese "Yuundo, Yamada", 2 paper dolls--one with a toothpick doll inserted, 1 paper toothpick holder with a toothpick doll inserted, "Tothpick of Kokeshi Doll" p. 11: 3 envelopes with Japanese letters inside which have painted flowers p. 12: 1 paper in Japanese and 1 booklet on kokeshi in Japanese p. 13: 2 photographs of kokeshi dolls "Collections of Georgia Sealoff", Christmas card with flat padded kokeshi figures on front from Fumiko, empty envelope from Toshio Okabe, woodblock print card of 2 kokeshi figures "Merry Xmas, GLS" p. 14: 7 business cards from Kokeshi Doll Assn. people p. 15: 4 photographs: group at table, 2 of donor, kokeshi collection "Georgia Sealoff attends monthly meeting", booklet in Japanese with donor's photograph p. 16: Lined paper with Tokyo Kokeshi Friendship Association meeting agenda in pencil, card in Japanese p. 17: Photograph of children in traditional dress looking at 2 giant paper mache kokeshi dolls, 3 pamphlet pages and 1 news article in Japanese with pictures of kokeshi and their makers "Naruko spring, Miyagi Pref.", small kokeshi envelope inserted p. 18: 3 writing papers with handpainted kokeshi figures p. 19: 4 writing papers and envelopes, 1 bookmark with handpainted or block printed kokeshi figures, news article "...T.B. Seals..." with picture of kokeshi doll "Nippon 1952" p. 20,21: 4 cards with kokeshi figures; 3 cards, 3 bookmarks with kokeshi figures p. 22,23: 8 cards with kokeshi figures p. 24,25: 3 envelopes, 1 card, 6 bookmarks with kokeshi figures p. 26: Book advertisement, paper in Japanese, pencilled meeting agenda p. 27: Seattle Times Pictorial supplement with article "Japanese Tolk Toys Tell History Lesson" featuring donor p. 28: News article "Lifelike Folk Dolls, rice paper printed in Japanese p. 29: Letter to Mr. Nishida outlining donor's kokeshi research, and translation from Mr. Kagayama p. 30,31: Meeting notices, article in Japanese, letter from Kenjin Yamada p. 32,33: Newspaper articles in Japanese p. 34: Photograph of children in traditional dress looking at 2 giant paper mache kokeshi figures, 2 cards with woodblock printed kokeshi figures p. 35: Letter in Japanese, 2 photographs of Japanese mask collection, kokeshi shaped card inserted p. 36,37: 3 samples of wrapping paper with kokeshi p. 38,39: 10 cards with kokeshi figures (1 loose) p. 40,41: 3 paper napkins, 3 samples of stamps with kokeshi figures p. 42,43: 5 cards with kokeshi figures p. 44,45: 4 Japanese booklets with kokeshi figures p. 46,47: 5 cards (4 with padded figures), envelope containing 5 paper stencils and numerous stencilled squares with kokeshi figures p. 48,49: 1 card, 1 paper wrapper, 3 bookmarks, 2 news articles and 1 silkscreened card with kokeshi figures p. 50,51: 2 photographs or donor with kimono clad women with parasols and with paper mache ox (used in Seattle Times) p. 52,53: 2 photographs: daruma and wooden horses p. 54,55: Paper "children who won prizes for parade at kokeshi festival...", Northwest Orient Air: "Story of Kokeshi Dolls" p. 56,57: "Pictorial map of Japan" by Radio Japan, 2 articles on "Kokeshi Doll" p. 58,59: 3 cards with kokeshi figures In envelope attached to last page: 17 articles in Japanese with kokeshi figures labelled "Kokeshi and Folk arts research bulletins" |
| 1996.010.078 | Dolls | Kokeshi Doll Couple A: Painted and varnished wood female doll with round swivel head, painted black hair with bangs in front, back of head has pink hachi pattern with red dots indicating a scarf, black eyebrows, eyes, nose, red mouth; round body with pedestal bottom, painted red jacket with collar which matches the scarf, floral patterned blouse, black sash, red, grey and black striped pants in front, painted red patches on pedestal indicates shoes. On bottom written in pencil is the number 7 and a Japanese character. B: Painted and varnished wood male doll with round swivel head, painted black hair in front, back of head has light blue hachi pattern with dark blue dots indicating a scarf, black eyebrows, eyes, nose, red mouth; round body with pedestal bottom, painted green jacket with collar which matches the scarf, blue floral patterned blouse, black sash, dark red, grey and black striped pants in front, painted black patches on pedestal indicates shoes. KOKESHI DOLLS: "Kokeshi are said to have originated in the Tohoku region in the hands of the lathe-craftsmen who lived a gypsy life in the mountains of that region, seeking good wood material for their craft. Eventually, about the middle of the Edo Period, these craftsmen settled down near the many spas that abounded in that region, and began to make...kokeshi...may be related to the household god." from p. 26, The Folk Toys of Japan by Misako Shishido "They date from the late Edo period when both leisure time and affluence in farming communities became not just a sought-after dream. Essentially a doll, the kokeshi are believed to have their origins in the practice of spiritualist religion... Sumptuary laws surely had a creativehand in the first kokeshi's form taking. Probably it was a roughly human form turned on a handpowered wood lathe...Each is made from a single piece? of finely turned and finished hardwood. Wood varies widely but the most generally used type is the native dogwood which is both fine-grained and light in tone...Probably the most well-known, Naruko-no-kokeshi come from a small community located in the northwest of the prefecture and is one of main entry points for Kurikoma National Park. An abundance of hot springs makes kokeshi turning all the more lucrative a winter pastime." p. 21, Mingei: Japan's Enduring Folk Arts by Amaury Saint-Gilles "The old style dolls were first crafted more than 300 years ago, perhaps during the Tokugawa Shogunate period. They are all female, and never include arms, legs, hands or feet. They are considered a "cottage" industry during the long winter months of the Tohoku district of Japan: Yamagata, Aomori, Miyagi, Fukushima and Akita Prefectures in Norther part of Honshu Island. While her huspand held the knife to whittle the long slim body with a round head, the wife pulled the pulley on the turning lathe mechanism which produced a gutteral sound pronounced as "kokeshi". Sizes vary from 1/2 inch to 5 feet tall. Each doll maker with dyes and paint would imbue his dolls with certain facial expressions, hair style, and a design of kimono and obi. He placed his signature on the bottom of each day's output. The skills and designs were passed down from one generation to the next, so a collector can identify them by prefecture, district, village and maker. The Naruka Hot Springs area of Miyagi Prefecture has developed a thriving village industry since 1945. They use modern equipment for the carving and employ many people to paint. The new style competes with the old style in popularity there. The new style kokeshi dolls reflect the coeducation movement in modern Japan. Boy and girl dolls sold in pairs became popular and have been mass produced and exported all over the world. Characters out of folktales and literature are available...Almost all of the modern dolls have moveable heads. Only Yamagata old-style dolls have moveable heads. Old-style doll collectors in Japan have formed a national society organization which promotes the study of the art. Many of the members are well-to-do artists, scholars, and business people. They visit the more remote mountain villages, buying, exchanging and publish their findings and photos in scholarly journals. It was my privilege to become an honorary member during 1952-54." Georgia Sealoff (donor) |
| 1996.010.078 | Dolls | Kokeshi Doll Couple A: Painted and varnished wood female doll with round swivel head, painted black hair with bangs in front, back of head has pink hachi pattern with red dots indicating a scarf, black eyebrows, eyes, nose, red mouth; round body with pedestal bottom, painted red jacket with collar which matches the scarf, floral patterned blouse, black sash, red, grey and black striped pants in front, painted red patches on pedestal indicates shoes. On bottom written in pencil is the number 7 and a Japanese character. B: Painted and varnished wood male doll with round swivel head, painted black hair in front, back of head has light blue hachi pattern with dark blue dots indicating a scarf, black eyebrows, eyes, nose, red mouth; round body with pedestal bottom, painted green jacket with collar which matches the scarf, blue floral patterned blouse, black sash, dark red, grey and black striped pants in front, painted black patches on pedestal indicates shoes. KOKESHI DOLLS: "Kokeshi are said to have originated in the Tohoku region in the hands of the lathe-craftsmen who lived a gypsy life in the mountains of that region, seeking good wood material for their craft. Eventually, about the middle of the Edo Period, these craftsmen settled down near the many spas that abounded in that region, and began to make...kokeshi...may be related to the household god." from p. 26, The Folk Toys of Japan by Misako Shishido "They date from the late Edo period when both leisure time and affluence in farming communities became not just a sought-after dream. Essentially a doll, the kokeshi are believed to have their origins in the practice of spiritualist religion... Sumptuary laws surely had a creativehand in the first kokeshi's form taking. Probably it was a roughly human form turned on a handpowered wood lathe...Each is made from a single piece? of finely turned and finished hardwood. Wood varies widely but the most generally used type is the native dogwood which is both fine-grained and light in tone...Probably the most well-known, Naruko-no-kokeshi come from a small community located in the northwest of the prefecture and is one of main entry points for Kurikoma National Park. An abundance of hot springs makes kokeshi turning all the more lucrative a winter pastime." p. 21, Mingei: Japan's Enduring Folk Arts by Amaury Saint-Gilles "The old style dolls were first crafted more than 300 years ago, perhaps during the Tokugawa Shogunate period. They are all female, and never include arms, legs, hands or feet. They are considered a "cottage" industry during the long winter months of the Tohoku district of Japan: Yamagata, Aomori, Miyagi, Fukushima and Akita Prefectures in Norther part of Honshu Island. While her huspand held the knife to whittle the long slim body with a round head, the wife pulled the pulley on the turning lathe mechanism which produced a gutteral sound pronounced as "kokeshi". Sizes vary from 1/2 inch to 5 feet tall. Each doll maker with dyes and paint would imbue his dolls with certain facial expressions, hair style, and a design of kimono and obi. He placed his signature on the bottom of each day's output. The skills and designs were passed down from one generation to the next, so a collector can identify them by prefecture, district, village and maker. The Naruka Hot Springs area of Miyagi Prefecture has developed a thriving village industry since 1945. They use modern equipment for the carving and employ many people to paint. The new style competes with the old style in popularity there. The new style kokeshi dolls reflect the coeducation movement in modern Japan. Boy and girl dolls sold in pairs became popular and have been mass produced and exported all over the world. Characters out of folktales and literature are available...Almost all of the modern dolls have moveable heads. Only Yamagata old-style dolls have moveable heads. Old-style doll collectors in Japan have formed a national society organization which promotes the study of the art. Many of the members are well-to-do artists, scholars, and business people. They visit the more remote mountain villages, buying, exchanging and publish their findings and photos in scholarly journals. It was my privilege to become an honorary member during 1952-54." Georgia Sealoff (donor) |
| 1996.010.079 | Doll | Wood Kokeshi Doll (older, detailed style) Round swivel head with a knob, painted black hair with a red and white dot hair decoration, two red patches on forehead beside bangs, painted black eyebrows, eyes, nose, red mouth; body is painted with red and gold kimono, white under collar, haori with design of red and green maple leaves and black collar, light blue obi with white chrysanthemum and red leaf, red obi jime and pink obi age, apron with red leaves and green and white triangular patch near bottom. On bottom is written black ink kanji: "Made by Akimoto Hachi" KOKESHI DOLLS: "Kokeshi are said to have originated in the Tohoku region in the hands of the lathe-craftsmen who lived a gypsy life in the mountains of that region, seeking good wood material for their craft. Eventually, about the middle of the Edo Period, these craftsmen settled down near the many spas that abounded in that region, and began to make...kokeshi...may be related to the household god." from p. 26, The Folk Toys of Japan by Misako Shishido "They date from the late Edo period when both leisure time and affluence in farming communities became not just a sought-after dream. Essentially a doll, the kokeshi are believed to have their origins in the practice of spiritualist religion... Sumptuary laws surely had a creativehand in the first kokeshi's form taking. Probably it was a roughly human form turned on a handpowered wood lathe...Each is made from a single piece? of finely turned and finished hardwood. Wood varies widely but the most generally used type is the native dogwood which is both fine-grained and light in tone...Probably the most well-known, Naruko-no-kokeshi come from a small community located in the northwest of the prefecture and is one of main entry points for Kurikoma National Park. An abundance of hot springs makes kokeshi turning all the more lucrative a winter pastime." p. 21, Mingei: Japan's Enduring Folk Arts by Amaury Saint-Gilles "The old style dolls were first crafted more than 300 years ago, perhaps during the Tokugawa Shogunate period. They are all female, and never include arms, legs, hands or feet. They are considered a "cottage" industry during the long winter months of the Tohoku district of Japan: Yamagata, Aomori, Miyagi, Fukushima and Akita Prefectures in Norther part of Honshu Island. While her huspand held the knife to whittle the long slim body with a round head, the wife pulled the pulley on the turning lathe mechanism which produced a gutteral sound pronounced as "kokeshi". Sizes vary from 1/2 inch to 5 feet tall. Each doll maker with dyes and paint would imbue his dolls with certain facial expressions, hair style, and a design of kimono and obi. He placed his signature on the bottom of each day's output. The skills and designs were passed down from one generation to the next, so a collector can identify them by prefecture, district, village and maker. The Naruka Hot Springs area of Miyagi Prefecture has developed a thriving village industry since 1945. They use modern equipment for the carving and employ many people to paint. The new style competes with the old style in popularity there. The new style kokeshi dolls reflect the coeducation movement in modern Japan. Boy and girl dolls sold in pairs became popular and have been mass produced and exported all over the world. Characters out of folktales and literature are available...Almost all of the modern dolls have moveable heads. Only Yamagata old-style dolls have moveable heads. Old-style doll collectors in Japan have formed a national society organization which promotes the study of the art. Many of the members are well-to-do artists, scholars, and business people. They visit the more remote mountain villages, buying, exchanging and publish their findings and photos in scholarly journals. It was my privilege to become an honorary member during 1952-54." Georgia Sealoff (donor) |
| 1996.010.079 | Doll | Wood Kokeshi Doll (older, detailed style) Round swivel head with a knob, painted black hair with a red and white dot hair decoration, two red patches on forehead beside bangs, painted black eyebrows, eyes, nose, red mouth; body is painted with red and gold kimono, white under collar, haori with design of red and green maple leaves and black collar, light blue obi with white chrysanthemum and red leaf, red obi jime and pink obi age, apron with red leaves and green and white triangular patch near bottom. On bottom is written black ink kanji: "Made by Akimoto Hachi" KOKESHI DOLLS: "Kokeshi are said to have originated in the Tohoku region in the hands of the lathe-craftsmen who lived a gypsy life in the mountains of that region, seeking good wood material for their craft. Eventually, about the middle of the Edo Period, these craftsmen settled down near the many spas that abounded in that region, and began to make...kokeshi...may be related to the household god." from p. 26, The Folk Toys of Japan by Misako Shishido "They date from the late Edo period when both leisure time and affluence in farming communities became not just a sought-after dream. Essentially a doll, the kokeshi are believed to have their origins in the practice of spiritualist religion... Sumptuary laws surely had a creativehand in the first kokeshi's form taking. Probably it was a roughly human form turned on a handpowered wood lathe...Each is made from a single piece? of finely turned and finished hardwood. Wood varies widely but the most generally used type is the native dogwood which is both fine-grained and light in tone...Probably the most well-known, Naruko-no-kokeshi come from a small community located in the northwest of the prefecture and is one of main entry points for Kurikoma National Park. An abundance of hot springs makes kokeshi turning all the more lucrative a winter pastime." p. 21, Mingei: Japan's Enduring Folk Arts by Amaury Saint-Gilles "The old style dolls were first crafted more than 300 years ago, perhaps during the Tokugawa Shogunate period. They are all female, and never include arms, legs, hands or feet. They are considered a "cottage" industry during the long winter months of the Tohoku district of Japan: Yamagata, Aomori, Miyagi, Fukushima and Akita Prefectures in Norther part of Honshu Island. While her huspand held the knife to whittle the long slim body with a round head, the wife pulled the pulley on the turning lathe mechanism which produced a gutteral sound pronounced as "kokeshi". Sizes vary from 1/2 inch to 5 feet tall. Each doll maker with dyes and paint would imbue his dolls with certain facial expressions, hair style, and a design of kimono and obi. He placed his signature on the bottom of each day's output. The skills and designs were passed down from one generation to the next, so a collector can identify them by prefecture, district, village and maker. The Naruka Hot Springs area of Miyagi Prefecture has developed a thriving village industry since 1945. They use modern equipment for the carving and employ many people to paint. The new style competes with the old style in popularity there. The new style kokeshi dolls reflect the coeducation movement in modern Japan. Boy and girl dolls sold in pairs became popular and have been mass produced and exported all over the world. Characters out of folktales and literature are available...Almost all of the modern dolls have moveable heads. Only Yamagata old-style dolls have moveable heads. Old-style doll collectors in Japan have formed a national society organization which promotes the study of the art. Many of the members are well-to-do artists, scholars, and business people. They visit the more remote mountain villages, buying, exchanging and publish their findings and photos in scholarly journals. It was my privilege to become an honorary member during 1952-54." Georgia Sealoff (donor) |
| 1996.010.080 | Doll | Wood Kokeshi Doll Round swivel head with painted black hair on top and sides with red dots, black eyebrows, eyes, nose, red mouth; taiko drum shaped body with painted set of 3 red stripes at top and bottom and black bamboo leaves alternating with green pine clusters. Hole in bottom and "Japan" stamped beside it. Representing a jizo sama (memorial for a child) KOKESHI DOLLS: "Kokeshi are said to have originated in the Tohoku region in the hands of the lathe-craftsmen who lived a gypsy life in the mountains of that region, seeking good wood material for their craft. Eventually, about the middle of the Edo Period, these craftsmen settled down near the many spas that abounded in that region, and began to make...kokeshi...may be related to the household god." from p. 26, The Folk Toys of Japan by Misako Shishido "They date from the late Edo period when both leisure time and affluence in farming communities became not just a sought-after dream. Essentially a doll, the kokeshi are believed to have their origins in the practice of spiritualist religion... Sumptuary laws surely had a creativehand in the first kokeshi's form taking. Probably it was a roughly human form turned on a handpowered wood lathe...Each is made from a single piece? of finely turned and finished hardwood. Wood varies widely but the most generally used type is the native dogwood which is both fine-grained and light in tone...Probably the most well-known, Naruko-no-kokeshi come from a small community located in the northwest of the prefecture and is one of main entry points for Kurikoma National Park. An abundance of hot springs makes kokeshi turning all the more lucrative a winter pastime." p. 21, Mingei: Japan's Enduring Folk Arts by Amaury Saint-Gilles "The old style dolls were first crafted more than 300 years ago, perhaps during the Tokugawa Shogunate period. They are all female, and never include arms, legs, hands or feet. They are considered a "cottage" industry during the long winter months of the Tohoku district of Japan: Yamagata, Aomori, Miyagi, Fukushima and Akita Prefectures in Norther part of Honshu Island. While her huspand held the knife to whittle the long slim body with a round head, the wife pulled the pulley on the turning lathe mechanism which produced a gutteral sound pronounced as "kokeshi". Sizes vary from 1/2 inch to 5 feet tall. Each doll maker with dyes and paint would imbue his dolls with certain facial expressions, hair style, and a design of kimono and obi. He placed his signature on the bottom of each day's output. The skills and designs were passed down from one generation to the next, so a collector can identify them by prefecture, district, village and maker. The Naruka Hot Springs area of Miyagi Prefecture has developed a thriving village industry since 1945. They use modern equipment for the carving and employ many people to paint. The new style competes with the old style in popularity there. The new style kokeshi dolls reflect the coeducation movement in modern Japan. Boy and girl dolls sold in pairs became popular and have been mass produced and exported all over the world. Characters out of folktales and literature are available...Almost all of the modern dolls have moveable heads. Only Yamagata old-style dolls have moveable heads. Old-style doll collectors in Japan have formed a national society organization which promotes the study of the art. Many of the members are well-to-do artists, scholars, and business people. They visit the more remote mountain villages, buying, exchanging and publish their findings and photos in scholarly journals. It was my privilege to become an honorary member during 1952-54." Georgia Sealoff (donor) |
| 1996.010.080 | Doll | Wood Kokeshi Doll Round swivel head with painted black hair on top and sides with red dots, black eyebrows, eyes, nose, red mouth; taiko drum shaped body with painted set of 3 red stripes at top and bottom and black bamboo leaves alternating with green pine clusters. Hole in bottom and "Japan" stamped beside it. Representing a jizo sama (memorial for a child) KOKESHI DOLLS: "Kokeshi are said to have originated in the Tohoku region in the hands of the lathe-craftsmen who lived a gypsy life in the mountains of that region, seeking good wood material for their craft. Eventually, about the middle of the Edo Period, these craftsmen settled down near the many spas that abounded in that region, and began to make...kokeshi...may be related to the household god." from p. 26, The Folk Toys of Japan by Misako Shishido "They date from the late Edo period when both leisure time and affluence in farming communities became not just a sought-after dream. Essentially a doll, the kokeshi are believed to have their origins in the practice of spiritualist religion... Sumptuary laws surely had a creativehand in the first kokeshi's form taking. Probably it was a roughly human form turned on a handpowered wood lathe...Each is made from a single piece? of finely turned and finished hardwood. Wood varies widely but the most generally used type is the native dogwood which is both fine-grained and light in tone...Probably the most well-known, Naruko-no-kokeshi come from a small community located in the northwest of the prefecture and is one of main entry points for Kurikoma National Park. An abundance of hot springs makes kokeshi turning all the more lucrative a winter pastime." p. 21, Mingei: Japan's Enduring Folk Arts by Amaury Saint-Gilles "The old style dolls were first crafted more than 300 years ago, perhaps during the Tokugawa Shogunate period. They are all female, and never include arms, legs, hands or feet. They are considered a "cottage" industry during the long winter months of the Tohoku district of Japan: Yamagata, Aomori, Miyagi, Fukushima and Akita Prefectures in Norther part of Honshu Island. While her huspand held the knife to whittle the long slim body with a round head, the wife pulled the pulley on the turning lathe mechanism which produced a gutteral sound pronounced as "kokeshi". Sizes vary from 1/2 inch to 5 feet tall. Each doll maker with dyes and paint would imbue his dolls with certain facial expressions, hair style, and a design of kimono and obi. He placed his signature on the bottom of each day's output. The skills and designs were passed down from one generation to the next, so a collector can identify them by prefecture, district, village and maker. The Naruka Hot Springs area of Miyagi Prefecture has developed a thriving village industry since 1945. They use modern equipment for the carving and employ many people to paint. The new style competes with the old style in popularity there. The new style kokeshi dolls reflect the coeducation movement in modern Japan. Boy and girl dolls sold in pairs became popular and have been mass produced and exported all over the world. Characters out of folktales and literature are available...Almost all of the modern dolls have moveable heads. Only Yamagata old-style dolls have moveable heads. Old-style doll collectors in Japan have formed a national society organization which promotes the study of the art. Many of the members are well-to-do artists, scholars, and business people. They visit the more remote mountain villages, buying, exchanging and publish their findings and photos in scholarly journals. It was my privilege to become an honorary member during 1952-54." Georgia Sealoff (donor) |
| 1996.010.081 | Doll | Wood Kokeshi Doll Immovable drum shaped head, painted red petal shapes on top of head and sides, black bangs and side pieces, black eyebrows, eyes, pointed black nose, red dot for mouth; body is bullet shaped with two red stripes around top and bottom and down front 3 pine tree motifs (faded). On bottom is black ink kanji which is difficult to read. |
| 1996.010.081 | Doll | Wood Kokeshi Doll Immovable drum shaped head, painted red petal shapes on top of head and sides, black bangs and side pieces, black eyebrows, eyes, pointed black nose, red dot for mouth; body is bullet shaped with two red stripes around top and bottom and down front 3 pine tree motifs (faded). On bottom is black ink kanji which is difficult to read. |
| 1996.010.082 | Doll | Wood Kokeshi Doll Immovable drum shaped head with painted red petal shapes on top and black hair pieces on back, sides and bangs, red ear? marks, black eyebrows, eyes, u-shaped nose, red dot for mouth; cylinder shaped body with painted red dot near top front and red peony underneath with black outline and yellow and black center. (Dent in back of body) Black kanji on bottom "Obayashi __ Taro" (not very readable). KOKESHI DOLLS: "Kokeshi are said to have originated in the Tohoku region in the hands of the lathe-craftsmen who lived a gypsy life in the mountains of that region, seeking good wood material for their craft. Eventually, about the middle of the Edo Period, these craftsmen settled down near the many spas that abounded in that region, and began to make...kokeshi...may be related to the household god." from p. 26, The Folk Toys of Japan by Misako Shishido "They date from the late Edo period when both leisure time and affluence in farming communities became not just a sought-after dream. Essentially a doll, the kokeshi are believed to have their origins in the practice of spiritualist religion... Sumptuary laws surely had a creativehand in the first kokeshi's form taking. Probably it was a roughly human form turned on a handpowered wood lathe...Each is made from a single piece? of finely turned and finished hardwood. Wood varies widely but the most generally used type is the native dogwood which is both fine-grained and light in tone...Probably the most well-known, Naruko-no-kokeshi come from a small community located in the northwest of the prefecture and is one of main entry points for Kurikoma National Park. An abundance of hot springs makes kokeshi turning all the more lucrative a winter pastime." p. 21, Mingei: Japan's Enduring Folk Arts by Amaury Saint-Gilles "The old style dolls were first crafted more than 300 years ago, perhaps during the Tokugawa Shogunate period. They are all female, and never include arms, legs, hands or feet. They are considered a "cottage" industry during the long winter months of the Tohoku district of Japan: Yamagata, Aomori, Miyagi, Fukushima and Akita Prefectures in Norther part of Honshu Island. While her huspand held the knife to whittle the long slim body with a round head, the wife pulled the pulley on the turning lathe mechanism which produced a gutteral sound pronounced as "kokeshi". Sizes vary from 1/2 inch to 5 feet tall. Each doll maker with dyes and paint would imbue his dolls with certain facial expressions, hair style, and a design of kimono and obi. He placed his signature on the bottom of each day's output. The skills and designs were passed down from one generation to the next, so a collector can identify them by prefecture, district, village and maker. The Naruka Hot Springs area of Miyagi Prefecture has developed a thriving village industry since 1945. They use modern equipment for the carving and employ many people to paint. The new style competes with the old style in popularity there. The new style kokeshi dolls reflect the coeducation movement in modern Japan. Boy and girl dolls sold in pairs became popular and have been mass produced and exported all over the world. Characters out of folktales and literature are available...Almost all of the modern dolls have moveable heads. Only Yamagata old-style dolls have moveable heads. Old-style doll collectors in Japan have formed a national society organization which promotes the study of the art. Many of the members are well-to-do artists, scholars, and business people. They visit the more remote mountain villages, buying, exchanging and publish their findings and photos in scholarly journals. It was my privilege to become an honorary member during 1952-54." Georgia Sealoff (donor) |
| 1996.010.082 | Doll | Wood Kokeshi Doll Immovable drum shaped head with painted red petal shapes on top and black hair pieces on back, sides and bangs, red ear? marks, black eyebrows, eyes, u-shaped nose, red dot for mouth; cylinder shaped body with painted red dot near top front and red peony underneath with black outline and yellow and black center. (Dent in back of body) Black kanji on bottom "Obayashi __ Taro" (not very readable). KOKESHI DOLLS: "Kokeshi are said to have originated in the Tohoku region in the hands of the lathe-craftsmen who lived a gypsy life in the mountains of that region, seeking good wood material for their craft. Eventually, about the middle of the Edo Period, these craftsmen settled down near the many spas that abounded in that region, and began to make...kokeshi...may be related to the household god." from p. 26, The Folk Toys of Japan by Misako Shishido "They date from the late Edo period when both leisure time and affluence in farming communities became not just a sought-after dream. Essentially a doll, the kokeshi are believed to have their origins in the practice of spiritualist religion... Sumptuary laws surely had a creativehand in the first kokeshi's form taking. Probably it was a roughly human form turned on a handpowered wood lathe...Each is made from a single piece? of finely turned and finished hardwood. Wood varies widely but the most generally used type is the native dogwood which is both fine-grained and light in tone...Probably the most well-known, Naruko-no-kokeshi come from a small community located in the northwest of the prefecture and is one of main entry points for Kurikoma National Park. An abundance of hot springs makes kokeshi turning all the more lucrative a winter pastime." p. 21, Mingei: Japan's Enduring Folk Arts by Amaury Saint-Gilles "The old style dolls were first crafted more than 300 years ago, perhaps during the Tokugawa Shogunate period. They are all female, and never include arms, legs, hands or feet. They are considered a "cottage" industry during the long winter months of the Tohoku district of Japan: Yamagata, Aomori, Miyagi, Fukushima and Akita Prefectures in Norther part of Honshu Island. While her huspand held the knife to whittle the long slim body with a round head, the wife pulled the pulley on the turning lathe mechanism which produced a gutteral sound pronounced as "kokeshi". Sizes vary from 1/2 inch to 5 feet tall. Each doll maker with dyes and paint would imbue his dolls with certain facial expressions, hair style, and a design of kimono and obi. He placed his signature on the bottom of each day's output. The skills and designs were passed down from one generation to the next, so a collector can identify them by prefecture, district, village and maker. The Naruka Hot Springs area of Miyagi Prefecture has developed a thriving village industry since 1945. They use modern equipment for the carving and employ many people to paint. The new style competes with the old style in popularity there. The new style kokeshi dolls reflect the coeducation movement in modern Japan. Boy and girl dolls sold in pairs became popular and have been mass produced and exported all over the world. Characters out of folktales and literature are available...Almost all of the modern dolls have moveable heads. Only Yamagata old-style dolls have moveable heads. Old-style doll collectors in Japan have formed a national society organization which promotes the study of the art. Many of the members are well-to-do artists, scholars, and business people. They visit the more remote mountain villages, buying, exchanging and publish their findings and photos in scholarly journals. It was my privilege to become an honorary member during 1952-54." Georgia Sealoff (donor) |
| 1996.010.083 | Doll | Wood Kokeshi Doll Swivel drum shaped head with painted red markings (faded) on side on head and along top, black bangs and side pieces, black eyebrows, eyes and short u-shaped nose, faint red mouth; cylinder shaped body with very faded red markings. Bottom has black kanji: "Shinji Terui" and a circled 111 written in pencil. KOKESHI DOLLS: "Kokeshi are said to have originated in the Tohoku region in the hands of the lathe-craftsmen who lived a gypsy life in the mountains of that region, seeking good wood material for their craft. Eventually, about the middle of the Edo Period, these craftsmen settled down near the many spas that abounded in that region, and began to make...kokeshi...may be related to the household god." from p. 26, The Folk Toys of Japan by Misako Shishido "They date from the late Edo period when both leisure time and affluence in farming communities became not just a sought-after dream. Essentially a doll, the kokeshi are believed to have their origins in the practice of spiritualist religion... Sumptuary laws surely had a creativehand in the first kokeshi's form taking. Probably it was a roughly human form turned on a handpowered wood lathe...Each is made from a single piece? of finely turned and finished hardwood. Wood varies widely but the most generally used type is the native dogwood which is both fine-grained and light in tone...Probably the most well-known, Naruko-no-kokeshi come from a small community located in the northwest of the prefecture and is one of main entry points for Kurikoma National Park. An abundance of hot springs makes kokeshi turning all the more lucrative a winter pastime." p. 21, Mingei: Japan's Enduring Folk Arts by Amaury Saint-Gilles "The old style dolls were first crafted more than 300 years ago, perhaps during the Tokugawa Shogunate period. They are all female, and never include arms, legs, hands or feet. They are considered a "cottage" industry during the long winter months of the Tohoku district of Japan: Yamagata, Aomori, Miyagi, Fukushima and Akita Prefectures in Norther part of Honshu Island. While her huspand held the knife to whittle the long slim body with a round head, the wife pulled the pulley on the turning lathe mechanism which produced a gutteral sound pronounced as "kokeshi". Sizes vary from 1/2 inch to 5 feet tall. Each doll maker with dyes and paint would imbue his dolls with certain facial expressions, hair style, and a design of kimono and obi. He placed his signature on the bottom of each day's output. The skills and designs were passed down from one generation to the next, so a collector can identify them by prefecture, district, village and maker. The Naruka Hot Springs area of Miyagi Prefecture has developed a thriving village industry since 1945. They use modern equipment for the carving and employ many people to paint. The new style competes with the old style in popularity there. The new style kokeshi dolls reflect the coeducation movement in modern Japan. Boy and girl dolls sold in pairs became popular and have been mass produced and exported all over the world. Characters out of folktales and literature are available...Almost all of the modern dolls have moveable heads. Only Yamagata old-style dolls have moveable heads. Old-style doll collectors in Japan have formed a national society organization which promotes the study of the art. Many of the members are well-to-do artists, scholars, and business people. They visit the more remote mountain villages, buying, exchanging and publish their findings and photos in scholarly journals. It was my privilege to become an honorary member during 1952-54." Georgia Sealoff (donor) |
| 1996.010.083 | Doll | Wood Kokeshi Doll Swivel drum shaped head with painted red markings (faded) on side on head and along top, black bangs and side pieces, black eyebrows, eyes and short u-shaped nose, faint red mouth; cylinder shaped body with very faded red markings. Bottom has black kanji: "Shinji Terui" and a circled 111 written in pencil. KOKESHI DOLLS: "Kokeshi are said to have originated in the Tohoku region in the hands of the lathe-craftsmen who lived a gypsy life in the mountains of that region, seeking good wood material for their craft. Eventually, about the middle of the Edo Period, these craftsmen settled down near the many spas that abounded in that region, and began to make...kokeshi...may be related to the household god." from p. 26, The Folk Toys of Japan by Misako Shishido "They date from the late Edo period when both leisure time and affluence in farming communities became not just a sought-after dream. Essentially a doll, the kokeshi are believed to have their origins in the practice of spiritualist religion... Sumptuary laws surely had a creativehand in the first kokeshi's form taking. Probably it was a roughly human form turned on a handpowered wood lathe...Each is made from a single piece? of finely turned and finished hardwood. Wood varies widely but the most generally used type is the native dogwood which is both fine-grained and light in tone...Probably the most well-known, Naruko-no-kokeshi come from a small community located in the northwest of the prefecture and is one of main entry points for Kurikoma National Park. An abundance of hot springs makes kokeshi turning all the more lucrative a winter pastime." p. 21, Mingei: Japan's Enduring Folk Arts by Amaury Saint-Gilles "The old style dolls were first crafted more than 300 years ago, perhaps during the Tokugawa Shogunate period. They are all female, and never include arms, legs, hands or feet. They are considered a "cottage" industry during the long winter months of the Tohoku district of Japan: Yamagata, Aomori, Miyagi, Fukushima and Akita Prefectures in Norther part of Honshu Island. While her huspand held the knife to whittle the long slim body with a round head, the wife pulled the pulley on the turning lathe mechanism which produced a gutteral sound pronounced as "kokeshi". Sizes vary from 1/2 inch to 5 feet tall. Each doll maker with dyes and paint would imbue his dolls with certain facial expressions, hair style, and a design of kimono and obi. He placed his signature on the bottom of each day's output. The skills and designs were passed down from one generation to the next, so a collector can identify them by prefecture, district, village and maker. The Naruka Hot Springs area of Miyagi Prefecture has developed a thriving village industry since 1945. They use modern equipment for the carving and employ many people to paint. The new style competes with the old style in popularity there. The new style kokeshi dolls reflect the coeducation movement in modern Japan. Boy and girl dolls sold in pairs became popular and have been mass produced and exported all over the world. Characters out of folktales and literature are available...Almost all of the modern dolls have moveable heads. Only Yamagata old-style dolls have moveable heads. Old-style doll collectors in Japan have formed a national society organization which promotes the study of the art. Many of the members are well-to-do artists, scholars, and business people. They visit the more remote mountain villages, buying, exchanging and publish their findings and photos in scholarly journals. It was my privilege to become an honorary member during 1952-54." Georgia Sealoff (donor) |
| 1996.010.084 | Doll | Wood Kokeshi Doll Round swivel head with painted red petal designs on top and sides of head, black bangs and side pieces, black eyebrows, eyes with upper lids, short u-shaped nose, small red lipped mouth; cylinder shaped body tapered in middle and dome-shaped top with 2 painted green stripes (1 thin and 1 thick) on top, 2 red stripes below, followed by 2 green stripes (1 thick and 1 thin), 2 faded red chrysanthemums and 3 sets of green leaves down center front, 2 green stripes followed by 3 faded red stripes at bottom. KOKESHI DOLLS: "Kokeshi are said to have originated in the Tohoku region in the hands of the lathe-craftsmen who lived a gypsy life in the mountains of that region, seeking good wood material for their craft. Eventually, about the middle of the Edo Period, these craftsmen settled down near the many spas that abounded in that region, and began to make...kokeshi...may be related to the household god." from p. 26, The Folk Toys of Japan by Misako Shishido "They date from the late Edo period when both leisure time and affluence in farming communities became not just a sought-after dream. Essentially a doll, the kokeshi are believed to have their origins in the practice of spiritualist religion... Sumptuary laws surely had a creativehand in the first kokeshi's form taking. Probably it was a roughly human form turned on a handpowered wood lathe...Each is made from a single piece? of finely turned and finished hardwood. Wood varies widely but the most generally used type is the native dogwood which is both fine-grained and light in tone...Probably the most well-known, Naruko-no-kokeshi come from a small community located in the northwest of the prefecture and is one of main entry points for Kurikoma National Park. An abundance of hot springs makes kokeshi turning all the more lucrative a winter pastime." p. 21, Mingei: Japan's Enduring Folk Arts by Amaury Saint-Gilles "The old style dolls were first crafted more than 300 years ago, perhaps during the Tokugawa Shogunate period. They are all female, and never include arms, legs, hands or feet. They are considered a "cottage" industry during the long winter months of the Tohoku district of Japan: Yamagata, Aomori, Miyagi, Fukushima and Akita Prefectures in Norther part of Honshu Island. While her huspand held the knife to whittle the long slim body with a round head, the wife pulled the pulley on the turning lathe mechanism which produced a gutteral sound pronounced as "kokeshi". Sizes vary from 1/2 inch to 5 feet tall. Each doll maker with dyes and paint would imbue his dolls with certain facial expressions, hair style, and a design of kimono and obi. He placed his signature on the bottom of each day's output. The skills and designs were passed down from one generation to the next, so a collector can identify them by prefecture, district, village and maker. The Naruka Hot Springs area of Miyagi Prefecture has developed a thriving village industry since 1945. They use modern equipment for the carving and employ many people to paint. The new style competes with the old style in popularity there. The new style kokeshi dolls reflect the coeducation movement in modern Japan. Boy and girl dolls sold in pairs became popular and have been mass produced and exported all over the world. Characters out of folktales and literature are available...Almost all of the modern dolls have moveable heads. Only Yamagata old-style dolls have moveable heads. Old-style doll collectors in Japan have formed a national society organization which promotes the study of the art. Many of the members are well-to-do artists, scholars, and business people. They visit the more remote mountain villages, buying, exchanging and publish their findings and photos in scholarly journals. It was my privilege to become an honorary member during 1952-54." Georgia Sealoff (donor) |
| 1996.010.084 | Doll | Wood Kokeshi Doll Round swivel head with painted red petal designs on top and sides of head, black bangs and side pieces, black eyebrows, eyes with upper lids, short u-shaped nose, small red lipped mouth; cylinder shaped body tapered in middle and dome-shaped top with 2 painted green stripes (1 thin and 1 thick) on top, 2 red stripes below, followed by 2 green stripes (1 thick and 1 thin), 2 faded red chrysanthemums and 3 sets of green leaves down center front, 2 green stripes followed by 3 faded red stripes at bottom. KOKESHI DOLLS: "Kokeshi are said to have originated in the Tohoku region in the hands of the lathe-craftsmen who lived a gypsy life in the mountains of that region, seeking good wood material for their craft. Eventually, about the middle of the Edo Period, these craftsmen settled down near the many spas that abounded in that region, and began to make...kokeshi...may be related to the household god." from p. 26, The Folk Toys of Japan by Misako Shishido "They date from the late Edo period when both leisure time and affluence in farming communities became not just a sought-after dream. Essentially a doll, the kokeshi are believed to have their origins in the practice of spiritualist religion... Sumptuary laws surely had a creativehand in the first kokeshi's form taking. Probably it was a roughly human form turned on a handpowered wood lathe...Each is made from a single piece? of finely turned and finished hardwood. Wood varies widely but the most generally used type is the native dogwood which is both fine-grained and light in tone...Probably the most well-known, Naruko-no-kokeshi come from a small community located in the northwest of the prefecture and is one of main entry points for Kurikoma National Park. An abundance of hot springs makes kokeshi turning all the more lucrative a winter pastime." p. 21, Mingei: Japan's Enduring Folk Arts by Amaury Saint-Gilles "The old style dolls were first crafted more than 300 years ago, perhaps during the Tokugawa Shogunate period. They are all female, and never include arms, legs, hands or feet. They are considered a "cottage" industry during the long winter months of the Tohoku district of Japan: Yamagata, Aomori, Miyagi, Fukushima and Akita Prefectures in Norther part of Honshu Island. While her huspand held the knife to whittle the long slim body with a round head, the wife pulled the pulley on the turning lathe mechanism which produced a gutteral sound pronounced as "kokeshi". Sizes vary from 1/2 inch to 5 feet tall. Each doll maker with dyes and paint would imbue his dolls with certain facial expressions, hair style, and a design of kimono and obi. He placed his signature on the bottom of each day's output. The skills and designs were passed down from one generation to the next, so a collector can identify them by prefecture, district, village and maker. The Naruka Hot Springs area of Miyagi Prefecture has developed a thriving village industry since 1945. They use modern equipment for the carving and employ many people to paint. The new style competes with the old style in popularity there. The new style kokeshi dolls reflect the coeducation movement in modern Japan. Boy and girl dolls sold in pairs became popular and have been mass produced and exported all over the world. Characters out of folktales and literature are available...Almost all of the modern dolls have moveable heads. Only Yamagata old-style dolls have moveable heads. Old-style doll collectors in Japan have formed a national society organization which promotes the study of the art. Many of the members are well-to-do artists, scholars, and business people. They visit the more remote mountain villages, buying, exchanging and publish their findings and photos in scholarly journals. It was my privilege to become an honorary member during 1952-54." Georgia Sealoff (donor) |
| 1996.010.085 | Doll | Wood Kokeshi Doll Large immobile round head with 2 painted red circles on top, 2 faded green circles outside red ones, red petal shapes along hairline with black center fringe and side pieces, black eyebrows, eyes with upper lids, u-shaped nose, red mouth; turned cylindrical body with narrower center and two raised rings, painted red collar shape down front over 3 red stripes above rings (once painted green, now faded), 3 red stripes below rings and 3 red vertical lines at center bottom. On bottom are 4 rectangular holes where clamp would have held wood block in place, also black ink kanji: "Made by Hisaji (or Hisashi) Niiyama" and the number 231, 203 crossed out, "Japan" and "Made in Japan" stamped in English. From Miyagi prefecture, Yajiro region, (more well off than farmer artisan's) (photo #37, p. 94 shows this artist's kokeshi dolls). Characteristics are: neck is screwed into the body, rounded shoulders, defined waist, only upper lid of eyes are painted, squared U-shape nose, V-shaped neck. Valuable piece KOKESHI DOLLS: "Kokeshi are said to have originated in the Tohoku region in the hands of the lathe-craftsmen who lived a gypsy life in the mountains of that region, seeking good wood material for their craft. Eventually, about the middle of the Edo Period, these craftsmen settled down near the many spas that abounded in that region, and began to make...kokeshi...may be related to the household god." from p. 26, The Folk Toys of Japan by Misako Shishido "They date from the late Edo period when both leisure time and affluence in farming communities became not just a sought-after dream. Essentially a doll, the kokeshi are believed to have their origins in the practice of spiritualist religion... Sumptuary laws surely had a creativehand in the first kokeshi's form taking. Probably it was a roughly human form turned on a handpowered wood lathe...Each is made from a single piece? of finely turned and finished hardwood. Wood varies widely but the most generally used type is the native dogwood which is both fine-grained and light in tone...Probably the most well-known, Naruko-no-kokeshi come from a small community located in the northwest of the prefecture and is one of main entry points for Kurikoma National Park. An abundance of hot springs makes kokeshi turning all the more lucrative a winter pastime." p. 21, Mingei: Japan's Enduring Folk Arts by Amaury Saint-Gilles "The old style dolls were first crafted more than 300 years ago, perhaps during the Tokugawa Shogunate period. They are all female, and never include arms, legs, hands or feet. They are considered a "cottage" industry during the long winter months of the Tohoku district of Japan: Yamagata, Aomori, Miyagi, Fukushima and Akita Prefectures in Norther part of Honshu Island. While her huspand held the knife to whittle the long slim body with a round head, the wife pulled the pulley on the turning lathe mechanism which produced a gutteral sound pronounced as "kokeshi". Sizes vary from 1/2 inch to 5 feet tall. Each doll maker with dyes and paint would imbue his dolls with certain facial expressions, hair style, and a design of kimono and obi. He placed his signature on the bottom of each day's output. The skills and designs were passed down from one generation to the next, so a collector can identify them by prefecture, district, village and maker. The Naruka Hot Springs area of Miyagi Prefecture has developed a thriving village industry since 1945. They use modern equipment for the carving and employ many people to paint. The new style competes with the old style in popularity there. The new style kokeshi dolls reflect the coeducation movement in modern Japan. Boy and girl dolls sold in pairs became popular and have been mass produced and exported all over the world. Characters out of folktales and literature are available...Almost all of the modern dolls have moveable heads. Only Yamagata old-style dolls have moveable heads. Old-style doll collectors in Japan have formed a national society organization which promotes the study of the art. Many of the members are well-to-do artists, scholars, and business people. They visit the more remote mountain villages, buying, exchanging and publish their findings and photos in scholarly journals. It was my privilege to become an honorary member during 1952-54." Georgia Sealoff (donor) |
| 1996.010.085 | Doll | Wood Kokeshi Doll Large immobile round head with 2 painted red circles on top, 2 faded green circles outside red ones, red petal shapes along hairline with black center fringe and side pieces, black eyebrows, eyes with upper lids, u-shaped nose, red mouth; turned cylindrical body with narrower center and two raised rings, painted red collar shape down front over 3 red stripes above rings (once painted green, now faded), 3 red stripes below rings and 3 red vertical lines at center bottom. On bottom are 4 rectangular holes where clamp would have held wood block in place, also black ink kanji: "Made by Hisaji (or Hisashi) Niiyama" and the number 231, 203 crossed out, "Japan" and "Made in Japan" stamped in English. From Miyagi prefecture, Yajiro region, (more well off than farmer artisan's) (photo #37, p. 94 shows this artist's kokeshi dolls). Characteristics are: neck is screwed into the body, rounded shoulders, defined waist, only upper lid of eyes are painted, squared U-shape nose, V-shaped neck. Valuable piece KOKESHI DOLLS: "Kokeshi are said to have originated in the Tohoku region in the hands of the lathe-craftsmen who lived a gypsy life in the mountains of that region, seeking good wood material for their craft. Eventually, about the middle of the Edo Period, these craftsmen settled down near the many spas that abounded in that region, and began to make...kokeshi...may be related to the household god." from p. 26, The Folk Toys of Japan by Misako Shishido "They date from the late Edo period when both leisure time and affluence in farming communities became not just a sought-after dream. Essentially a doll, the kokeshi are believed to have their origins in the practice of spiritualist religion... Sumptuary laws surely had a creativehand in the first kokeshi's form taking. Probably it was a roughly human form turned on a handpowered wood lathe...Each is made from a single piece? of finely turned and finished hardwood. Wood varies widely but the most generally used type is the native dogwood which is both fine-grained and light in tone...Probably the most well-known, Naruko-no-kokeshi come from a small community located in the northwest of the prefecture and is one of main entry points for Kurikoma National Park. An abundance of hot springs makes kokeshi turning all the more lucrative a winter pastime." p. 21, Mingei: Japan's Enduring Folk Arts by Amaury Saint-Gilles "The old style dolls were first crafted more than 300 years ago, perhaps during the Tokugawa Shogunate period. They are all female, and never include arms, legs, hands or feet. They are considered a "cottage" industry during the long winter months of the Tohoku district of Japan: Yamagata, Aomori, Miyagi, Fukushima and Akita Prefectures in Norther part of Honshu Island. While her huspand held the knife to whittle the long slim body with a round head, the wife pulled the pulley on the turning lathe mechanism which produced a gutteral sound pronounced as "kokeshi". Sizes vary from 1/2 inch to 5 feet tall. Each doll maker with dyes and paint would imbue his dolls with certain facial expressions, hair style, and a design of kimono and obi. He placed his signature on the bottom of each day's output. The skills and designs were passed down from one generation to the next, so a collector can identify them by prefecture, district, village and maker. The Naruka Hot Springs area of Miyagi Prefecture has developed a thriving village industry since 1945. They use modern equipment for the carving and employ many people to paint. The new style competes with the old style in popularity there. The new style kokeshi dolls reflect the coeducation movement in modern Japan. Boy and girl dolls sold in pairs became popular and have been mass produced and exported all over the world. Characters out of folktales and literature are available...Almost all of the modern dolls have moveable heads. Only Yamagata old-style dolls have moveable heads. Old-style doll collectors in Japan have formed a national society organization which promotes the study of the art. Many of the members are well-to-do artists, scholars, and business people. They visit the more remote mountain villages, buying, exchanging and publish their findings and photos in scholarly journals. It was my privilege to become an honorary member during 1952-54." Georgia Sealoff (donor) |
| 1996.010.086 | Doll | Wood Kokeshi Doll One piece with immobile round head with 2 faint red circles on top, faded red petal shapes on each side and on forehead, black hair pieces only on sides, black eyebrows, eyes with upper lids, nose, red mouth with black outline; oval/cyclider shaped body with tapered top and 2 faded red stripes around top and two faint red flower shapes down center front with a red smudge in the middle, 2 thin red stripes near bottom and wavy red pattern at bottom. Remains of pasted white paper on bottom. KOKESHI DOLLS: "Kokeshi are said to have originated in the Tohoku region in the hands of the lathe-craftsmen who lived a gypsy life in the mountains of that region, seeking good wood material for their craft. Eventually, about the middle of the Edo Period, these craftsmen settled down near the many spas that abounded in that region, and began to make...kokeshi...may be related to the household god." from p. 26, The Folk Toys of Japan by Misako Shishido "They date from the late Edo period when both leisure time and affluence in farming communities became not just a sought-after dream. Essentially a doll, the kokeshi are believed to have their origins in the practice of spiritualist religion... Sumptuary laws surely had a creativehand in the first kokeshi's form taking. Probably it was a roughly human form turned on a handpowered wood lathe...Each is made from a single piece? of finely turned and finished hardwood. Wood varies widely but the most generally used type is the native dogwood which is both fine-grained and light in tone...Probably the most well-known, Naruko-no-kokeshi come from a small community located in the northwest of the prefecture and is one of main entry points for Kurikoma National Park. An abundance of hot springs makes kokeshi turning all the more lucrative a winter pastime." p. 21, Mingei: Japan's Enduring Folk Arts by Amaury Saint-Gilles "The old style dolls were first crafted more than 300 years ago, perhaps during the Tokugawa Shogunate period. They are all female, and never include arms, legs, hands or feet. They are considered a "cottage" industry during the long winter months of the Tohoku district of Japan: Yamagata, Aomori, Miyagi, Fukushima and Akita Prefectures in Norther part of Honshu Island. While her huspand held the knife to whittle the long slim body with a round head, the wife pulled the pulley on the turning lathe mechanism which produced a gutteral sound pronounced as "kokeshi". Sizes vary from 1/2 inch to 5 feet tall. Each doll maker with dyes and paint would imbue his dolls with certain facial expressions, hair style, and a design of kimono and obi. He placed his signature on the bottom of each day's output. The skills and designs were passed down from one generation to the next, so a collector can identify them by prefecture, district, village and maker. The Naruka Hot Springs area of Miyagi Prefecture has developed a thriving village industry since 1945. They use modern equipment for the carving and employ many people to paint. The new style competes with the old style in popularity there. The new style kokeshi dolls reflect the coeducation movement in modern Japan. Boy and girl dolls sold in pairs became popular and have been mass produced and exported all over the world. Characters out of folktales and literature are available...Almost all of the modern dolls have moveable heads. Only Yamagata old-style dolls have moveable heads. Old-style doll collectors in Japan have formed a national society organization which promotes the study of the art. Many of the members are well-to-do artists, scholars, and business people. They visit the more remote mountain villages, buying, exchanging and publish their findings and photos in scholarly journals. It was my privilege to become an honorary member during 1952-54." Georgia Sealoff (donor) |
| 1996.010.086 | Doll | Wood Kokeshi Doll One piece with immobile round head with 2 faint red circles on top, faded red petal shapes on each side and on forehead, black hair pieces only on sides, black eyebrows, eyes with upper lids, nose, red mouth with black outline; oval/cyclider shaped body with tapered top and 2 faded red stripes around top and two faint red flower shapes down center front with a red smudge in the middle, 2 thin red stripes near bottom and wavy red pattern at bottom. Remains of pasted white paper on bottom. KOKESHI DOLLS: "Kokeshi are said to have originated in the Tohoku region in the hands of the lathe-craftsmen who lived a gypsy life in the mountains of that region, seeking good wood material for their craft. Eventually, about the middle of the Edo Period, these craftsmen settled down near the many spas that abounded in that region, and began to make...kokeshi...may be related to the household god." from p. 26, The Folk Toys of Japan by Misako Shishido "They date from the late Edo period when both leisure time and affluence in farming communities became not just a sought-after dream. Essentially a doll, the kokeshi are believed to have their origins in the practice of spiritualist religion... Sumptuary laws surely had a creativehand in the first kokeshi's form taking. Probably it was a roughly human form turned on a handpowered wood lathe...Each is made from a single piece? of finely turned and finished hardwood. Wood varies widely but the most generally used type is the native dogwood which is both fine-grained and light in tone...Probably the most well-known, Naruko-no-kokeshi come from a small community located in the northwest of the prefecture and is one of main entry points for Kurikoma National Park. An abundance of hot springs makes kokeshi turning all the more lucrative a winter pastime." p. 21, Mingei: Japan's Enduring Folk Arts by Amaury Saint-Gilles "The old style dolls were first crafted more than 300 years ago, perhaps during the Tokugawa Shogunate period. They are all female, and never include arms, legs, hands or feet. They are considered a "cottage" industry during the long winter months of the Tohoku district of Japan: Yamagata, Aomori, Miyagi, Fukushima and Akita Prefectures in Norther part of Honshu Island. While her huspand held the knife to whittle the long slim body with a round head, the wife pulled the pulley on the turning lathe mechanism which produced a gutteral sound pronounced as "kokeshi". Sizes vary from 1/2 inch to 5 feet tall. Each doll maker with dyes and paint would imbue his dolls with certain facial expressions, hair style, and a design of kimono and obi. He placed his signature on the bottom of each day's output. The skills and designs were passed down from one generation to the next, so a collector can identify them by prefecture, district, village and maker. The Naruka Hot Springs area of Miyagi Prefecture has developed a thriving village industry since 1945. They use modern equipment for the carving and employ many people to paint. The new style competes with the old style in popularity there. The new style kokeshi dolls reflect the coeducation movement in modern Japan. Boy and girl dolls sold in pairs became popular and have been mass produced and exported all over the world. Characters out of folktales and literature are available...Almost all of the modern dolls have moveable heads. Only Yamagata old-style dolls have moveable heads. Old-style doll collectors in Japan have formed a national society organization which promotes the study of the art. Many of the members are well-to-do artists, scholars, and business people. They visit the more remote mountain villages, buying, exchanging and publish their findings and photos in scholarly journals. It was my privilege to become an honorary member during 1952-54." Georgia Sealoff (donor) |
| 1996.010.087 | Doll | Wood Kokeshi Doll One piece with immobile head that is flatter on top, tapering at bottom, painted red bow on top of head, black bangs and side hair, black straight eyebrows, eyes with upper and lower lids, u-shaped nose, mouth with one black line and one red dot; cylindrical body tapered at top with red under collar (eri) and black outline for kimono front, sleeves, obi, faded red vertical stripes on bodice, red horizontal stripe indicating an obi jime, faded red floral designs consisting of one large and two small lotus shapes at center bottom and four-dot motifs on sleeves and front. On back left side is black ink kanji: "Kijiyama, Akita Prefecture, Made by Hisataro Koyo (?)" On bottom is written in pencil "350". KOKESHI DOLLS: "Kokeshi are said to have originated in the Tohoku region in the hands of the lathe-craftsmen who lived a gypsy life in the mountains of that region, seeking good wood material for their craft. Eventually, about the middle of the Edo Period, these craftsmen settled down near the many spas that abounded in that region, and began to make...kokeshi...may be related to the household god." from p. 26, The Folk Toys of Japan by Misako Shishido "They date from the late Edo period when both leisure time and affluence in farming communities became not just a sought-after dream. Essentially a doll, the kokeshi are believed to have their origins in the practice of spiritualist religion... Sumptuary laws surely had a creativehand in the first kokeshi's form taking. Probably it was a roughly human form turned on a handpowered wood lathe...Each is made from a single piece? of finely turned and finished hardwood. Wood varies widely but the most generally used type is the native dogwood which is both fine-grained and light in tone...Probably the most well-known, Naruko-no-kokeshi come from a small community located in the northwest of the prefecture and is one of main entry points for Kurikoma National Park. An abundance of hot springs makes kokeshi turning all the more lucrative a winter pastime." p. 21, Mingei: Japan's Enduring Folk Arts by Amaury Saint-Gilles "The old style dolls were first crafted more than 300 years ago, perhaps during the Tokugawa Shogunate period. They are all female, and never include arms, legs, hands or feet. They are considered a "cottage" industry during the long winter months of the Tohoku district of Japan: Yamagata, Aomori, Miyagi, Fukushima and Akita Prefectures in Norther part of Honshu Island. While her huspand held the knife to whittle the long slim body with a round head, the wife pulled the pulley on the turning lathe mechanism which produced a gutteral sound pronounced as "kokeshi". Sizes vary from 1/2 inch to 5 feet tall. Each doll maker with dyes and paint would imbue his dolls with certain facial expressions, hair style, and a design of kimono and obi. He placed his signature on the bottom of each day's output. The skills and designs were passed down from one generation to the next, so a collector can identify them by prefecture, district, village and maker. The Naruka Hot Springs area of Miyagi Prefecture has developed a thriving village industry since 1945. They use modern equipment for the carving and employ many people to paint. The new style competes with the old style in popularity there. The new style kokeshi dolls reflect the coeducation movement in modern Japan. Boy and girl dolls sold in pairs became popular and have been mass produced and exported all over the world. Characters out of folktales and literature are available...Almost all of the modern dolls have moveable heads. Only Yamagata old-style dolls have moveable heads. Old-style doll collectors in Japan have formed a national society organization which promotes the study of the art. Many of the members are well-to-do artists, scholars, and business people. They visit the more remote mountain villages, buying, exchanging and publish their findings and photos in scholarly journals. It was my privilege to become an honorary member during 1952-54." Georgia Sealoff (donor) |
| 1996.010.087 | Doll | Wood Kokeshi Doll One piece with immobile head that is flatter on top, tapering at bottom, painted red bow on top of head, black bangs and side hair, black straight eyebrows, eyes with upper and lower lids, u-shaped nose, mouth with one black line and one red dot; cylindrical body tapered at top with red under collar (eri) and black outline for kimono front, sleeves, obi, faded red vertical stripes on bodice, red horizontal stripe indicating an obi jime, faded red floral designs consisting of one large and two small lotus shapes at center bottom and four-dot motifs on sleeves and front. On back left side is black ink kanji: "Kijiyama, Akita Prefecture, Made by Hisataro Koyo (?)" On bottom is written in pencil "350". KOKESHI DOLLS: "Kokeshi are said to have originated in the Tohoku region in the hands of the lathe-craftsmen who lived a gypsy life in the mountains of that region, seeking good wood material for their craft. Eventually, about the middle of the Edo Period, these craftsmen settled down near the many spas that abounded in that region, and began to make...kokeshi...may be related to the household god." from p. 26, The Folk Toys of Japan by Misako Shishido "They date from the late Edo period when both leisure time and affluence in farming communities became not just a sought-after dream. Essentially a doll, the kokeshi are believed to have their origins in the practice of spiritualist religion... Sumptuary laws surely had a creativehand in the first kokeshi's form taking. Probably it was a roughly human form turned on a handpowered wood lathe...Each is made from a single piece? of finely turned and finished hardwood. Wood varies widely but the most generally used type is the native dogwood which is both fine-grained and light in tone...Probably the most well-known, Naruko-no-kokeshi come from a small community located in the northwest of the prefecture and is one of main entry points for Kurikoma National Park. An abundance of hot springs makes kokeshi turning all the more lucrative a winter pastime." p. 21, Mingei: Japan's Enduring Folk Arts by Amaury Saint-Gilles "The old style dolls were first crafted more than 300 years ago, perhaps during the Tokugawa Shogunate period. They are all female, and never include arms, legs, hands or feet. They are considered a "cottage" industry during the long winter months of the Tohoku district of Japan: Yamagata, Aomori, Miyagi, Fukushima and Akita Prefectures in Norther part of Honshu Island. While her huspand held the knife to whittle the long slim body with a round head, the wife pulled the pulley on the turning lathe mechanism which produced a gutteral sound pronounced as "kokeshi". Sizes vary from 1/2 inch to 5 feet tall. Each doll maker with dyes and paint would imbue his dolls with certain facial expressions, hair style, and a design of kimono and obi. He placed his signature on the bottom of each day's output. The skills and designs were passed down from one generation to the next, so a collector can identify them by prefecture, district, village and maker. The Naruka Hot Springs area of Miyagi Prefecture has developed a thriving village industry since 1945. They use modern equipment for the carving and employ many people to paint. The new style competes with the old style in popularity there. The new style kokeshi dolls reflect the coeducation movement in modern Japan. Boy and girl dolls sold in pairs became popular and have been mass produced and exported all over the world. Characters out of folktales and literature are available...Almost all of the modern dolls have moveable heads. Only Yamagata old-style dolls have moveable heads. Old-style doll collectors in Japan have formed a national society organization which promotes the study of the art. Many of the members are well-to-do artists, scholars, and business people. They visit the more remote mountain villages, buying, exchanging and publish their findings and photos in scholarly journals. It was my privilege to become an honorary member during 1952-54." Georgia Sealoff (donor) |
| 1996.010.088 | Doll | Wood Kokeshi Doll Immobile head, cut separately, round with large red dot on top of head, black streaks around dot surrounded by black circle of hair, 2 red stripes and 2 red half circles on forehead, red marks and black hair pieces on either side, black eyebrows, round eyes with upper lids, teardrop nose, red cheek dots, red mouth dot with black outline; body is cylindrical shape with tapered top and narrower waist, painted red stripes at top, center and bottom, 2 faded black stripes interspersed with red ones at waist, faded red floral patterns made up of four dots and leaf shapes extending down each side on the chest and lower body. On bottom black ink kanji: "Made by Kamedera (or Kamekichiro) Honda, from Kohara" KOKESHI DOLLS: "Kokeshi are said to have originated in the Tohoku region in the hands of the lathe-craftsmen who lived a gypsy life in the mountains of that region, seeking good wood material for their craft. Eventually, about the middle of the Edo Period, these craftsmen settled down near the many spas that abounded in that region, and began to make...kokeshi...may be related to the household god." from p. 26, The Folk Toys of Japan by Misako Shishido "They date from the late Edo period when both leisure time and affluence in farming communities became not just a sought-after dream. Essentially a doll, the kokeshi are believed to have their origins in the practice of spiritualist religion... Sumptuary laws surely had a creativehand in the first kokeshi's form taking. Probably it was a roughly human form turned on a handpowered wood lathe...Each is made from a single piece? of finely turned and finished hardwood. Wood varies widely but the most generally used type is the native dogwood which is both fine-grained and light in tone...Probably the most well-known, Naruko-no-kokeshi come from a small community located in the northwest of the prefecture and is one of main entry points for Kurikoma National Park. An abundance of hot springs makes kokeshi turning all the more lucrative a winter pastime." p. 21, Mingei: Japan's Enduring Folk Arts by Amaury Saint-Gilles "The old style dolls were first crafted more than 300 years ago, perhaps during the Tokugawa Shogunate period. They are all female, and never include arms, legs, hands or feet. They are considered a "cottage" industry during the long winter months of the Tohoku district of Japan: Yamagata, Aomori, Miyagi, Fukushima and Akita Prefectures in Norther part of Honshu Island. While her huspand held the knife to whittle the long slim body with a round head, the wife pulled the pulley on the turning lathe mechanism which produced a gutteral sound pronounced as "kokeshi". Sizes vary from 1/2 inch to 5 feet tall. Each doll maker with dyes and paint would imbue his dolls with certain facial expressions, hair style, and a design of kimono and obi. He placed his signature on the bottom of each day's output. The skills and designs were passed down from one generation to the next, so a collector can identify them by prefecture, district, village and maker. The Naruka Hot Springs area of Miyagi Prefecture has developed a thriving village industry since 1945. They use modern equipment for the carving and employ many people to paint. The new style competes with the old style in popularity there. The new style kokeshi dolls reflect the coeducation movement in modern Japan. Boy and girl dolls sold in pairs became popular and have been mass produced and exported all over the world. Characters out of folktales and literature are available...Almost all of the modern dolls have moveable heads. Only Yamagata old-style dolls have moveable heads. Old-style doll collectors in Japan have formed a national society organization which promotes the study of the art. Many of the members are well-to-do artists, scholars, and business people. They visit the more remote mountain villages, buying, exchanging and publish their findings and photos in scholarly journals. It was my privilege to become an honorary member during 1952-54." Georgia Sealoff (donor) |
| 1996.010.088 | Doll | Wood Kokeshi Doll Immobile head, cut separately, round with large red dot on top of head, black streaks around dot surrounded by black circle of hair, 2 red stripes and 2 red half circles on forehead, red marks and black hair pieces on either side, black eyebrows, round eyes with upper lids, teardrop nose, red cheek dots, red mouth dot with black outline; body is cylindrical shape with tapered top and narrower waist, painted red stripes at top, center and bottom, 2 faded black stripes interspersed with red ones at waist, faded red floral patterns made up of four dots and leaf shapes extending down each side on the chest and lower body. On bottom black ink kanji: "Made by Kamedera (or Kamekichiro) Honda, from Kohara" KOKESHI DOLLS: "Kokeshi are said to have originated in the Tohoku region in the hands of the lathe-craftsmen who lived a gypsy life in the mountains of that region, seeking good wood material for their craft. Eventually, about the middle of the Edo Period, these craftsmen settled down near the many spas that abounded in that region, and began to make...kokeshi...may be related to the household god." from p. 26, The Folk Toys of Japan by Misako Shishido "They date from the late Edo period when both leisure time and affluence in farming communities became not just a sought-after dream. Essentially a doll, the kokeshi are believed to have their origins in the practice of spiritualist religion... Sumptuary laws surely had a creativehand in the first kokeshi's form taking. Probably it was a roughly human form turned on a handpowered wood lathe...Each is made from a single piece? of finely turned and finished hardwood. Wood varies widely but the most generally used type is the native dogwood which is both fine-grained and light in tone...Probably the most well-known, Naruko-no-kokeshi come from a small community located in the northwest of the prefecture and is one of main entry points for Kurikoma National Park. An abundance of hot springs makes kokeshi turning all the more lucrative a winter pastime." p. 21, Mingei: Japan's Enduring Folk Arts by Amaury Saint-Gilles "The old style dolls were first crafted more than 300 years ago, perhaps during the Tokugawa Shogunate period. They are all female, and never include arms, legs, hands or feet. They are considered a "cottage" industry during the long winter months of the Tohoku district of Japan: Yamagata, Aomori, Miyagi, Fukushima and Akita Prefectures in Norther part of Honshu Island. While her huspand held the knife to whittle the long slim body with a round head, the wife pulled the pulley on the turning lathe mechanism which produced a gutteral sound pronounced as "kokeshi". Sizes vary from 1/2 inch to 5 feet tall. Each doll maker with dyes and paint would imbue his dolls with certain facial expressions, hair style, and a design of kimono and obi. He placed his signature on the bottom of each day's output. The skills and designs were passed down from one generation to the next, so a collector can identify them by prefecture, district, village and maker. The Naruka Hot Springs area of Miyagi Prefecture has developed a thriving village industry since 1945. They use modern equipment for the carving and employ many people to paint. The new style competes with the old style in popularity there. The new style kokeshi dolls reflect the coeducation movement in modern Japan. Boy and girl dolls sold in pairs became popular and have been mass produced and exported all over the world. Characters out of folktales and literature are available...Almost all of the modern dolls have moveable heads. Only Yamagata old-style dolls have moveable heads. Old-style doll collectors in Japan have formed a national society organization which promotes the study of the art. Many of the members are well-to-do artists, scholars, and business people. They visit the more remote mountain villages, buying, exchanging and publish their findings and photos in scholarly journals. It was my privilege to become an honorary member during 1952-54." Georgia Sealoff (donor) |
| 1996.010.089 | Doll | Wood Kokeshi Doll One piece, immobile oval shaped head with faded red bow on top, painted black bangs and side hair pieces, black half moon shaped eyes, u-shaped nose, smiling black mouth with faded red dot; cylindrical body with rounded top, 2 faded red stripes at top, black outline of kimono front and black and faded red vertical stripes on bodice, black outline of apron with 3 faded red flowers with yellow centers, green leaves and black stems. On bottom in pencil is "Akita" KOKESHI DOLLS: "Kokeshi are said to have originated in the Tohoku region in the hands of the lathe-craftsmen who lived a gypsy life in the mountains of that region, seeking good wood material for their craft. Eventually, about the middle of the Edo Period, these craftsmen settled down near the many spas that abounded in that region, and began to make...kokeshi...may be related to the household god." from p. 26, The Folk Toys of Japan by Misako Shishido "They date from the late Edo period when both leisure time and affluence in farming communities became not just a sought-after dream. Essentially a doll, the kokeshi are believed to have their origins in the practice of spiritualist religion... Sumptuary laws surely had a creativehand in the first kokeshi's form taking. Probably it was a roughly human form turned on a handpowered wood lathe...Each is made from a single piece? of finely turned and finished hardwood. Wood varies widely but the most generally used type is the native dogwood which is both fine-grained and light in tone...Probably the most well-known, Naruko-no-kokeshi come from a small community located in the northwest of the prefecture and is one of main entry points for Kurikoma National Park. An abundance of hot springs makes kokeshi turning all the more lucrative a winter pastime." p. 21, Mingei: Japan's Enduring Folk Arts by Amaury Saint-Gilles "The old style dolls were first crafted more than 300 years ago, perhaps during the Tokugawa Shogunate period. They are all female, and never include arms, legs, hands or feet. They are considered a "cottage" industry during the long winter months of the Tohoku district of Japan: Yamagata, Aomori, Miyagi, Fukushima and Akita Prefectures in Norther part of Honshu Island. While her huspand held the knife to whittle the long slim body with a round head, the wife pulled the pulley on the turning lathe mechanism which produced a gutteral sound pronounced as "kokeshi". Sizes vary from 1/2 inch to 5 feet tall. Each doll maker with dyes and paint would imbue his dolls with certain facial expressions, hair style, and a design of kimono and obi. He placed his signature on the bottom of each day's output. The skills and designs were passed down from one generation to the next, so a collector can identify them by prefecture, district, village and maker. The Naruka Hot Springs area of Miyagi Prefecture has developed a thriving village industry since 1945. They use modern equipment for the carving and employ many people to paint. The new style competes with the old style in popularity there. The new style kokeshi dolls reflect the coeducation movement in modern Japan. Boy and girl dolls sold in pairs became popular and have been mass produced and exported all over the world. Characters out of folktales and literature are available...Almost all of the modern dolls have moveable heads. Only Yamagata old-style dolls have moveable heads. Old-style doll collectors in Japan have formed a national society organization which promotes the study of the art. Many of the members are well-to-do artists, scholars, and business people. They visit the more remote mountain villages, buying, exchanging and publish their findings and photos in scholarly journals. It was my privilege to become an honorary member during 1952-54." Georgia Sealoff (donor) |
| 1996.010.089 | Doll | Wood Kokeshi Doll One piece, immobile oval shaped head with faded red bow on top, painted black bangs and side hair pieces, black half moon shaped eyes, u-shaped nose, smiling black mouth with faded red dot; cylindrical body with rounded top, 2 faded red stripes at top, black outline of kimono front and black and faded red vertical stripes on bodice, black outline of apron with 3 faded red flowers with yellow centers, green leaves and black stems. On bottom in pencil is "Akita" KOKESHI DOLLS: "Kokeshi are said to have originated in the Tohoku region in the hands of the lathe-craftsmen who lived a gypsy life in the mountains of that region, seeking good wood material for their craft. Eventually, about the middle of the Edo Period, these craftsmen settled down near the many spas that abounded in that region, and began to make...kokeshi...may be related to the household god." from p. 26, The Folk Toys of Japan by Misako Shishido "They date from the late Edo period when both leisure time and affluence in farming communities became not just a sought-after dream. Essentially a doll, the kokeshi are believed to have their origins in the practice of spiritualist religion... Sumptuary laws surely had a creativehand in the first kokeshi's form taking. Probably it was a roughly human form turned on a handpowered wood lathe...Each is made from a single piece? of finely turned and finished hardwood. Wood varies widely but the most generally used type is the native dogwood which is both fine-grained and light in tone...Probably the most well-known, Naruko-no-kokeshi come from a small community located in the northwest of the prefecture and is one of main entry points for Kurikoma National Park. An abundance of hot springs makes kokeshi turning all the more lucrative a winter pastime." p. 21, Mingei: Japan's Enduring Folk Arts by Amaury Saint-Gilles "The old style dolls were first crafted more than 300 years ago, perhaps during the Tokugawa Shogunate period. They are all female, and never include arms, legs, hands or feet. They are considered a "cottage" industry during the long winter months of the Tohoku district of Japan: Yamagata, Aomori, Miyagi, Fukushima and Akita Prefectures in Norther part of Honshu Island. While her huspand held the knife to whittle the long slim body with a round head, the wife pulled the pulley on the turning lathe mechanism which produced a gutteral sound pronounced as "kokeshi". Sizes vary from 1/2 inch to 5 feet tall. Each doll maker with dyes and paint would imbue his dolls with certain facial expressions, hair style, and a design of kimono and obi. He placed his signature on the bottom of each day's output. The skills and designs were passed down from one generation to the next, so a collector can identify them by prefecture, district, village and maker. The Naruka Hot Springs area of Miyagi Prefecture has developed a thriving village industry since 1945. They use modern equipment for the carving and employ many people to paint. The new style competes with the old style in popularity there. The new style kokeshi dolls reflect the coeducation movement in modern Japan. Boy and girl dolls sold in pairs became popular and have been mass produced and exported all over the world. Characters out of folktales and literature are available...Almost all of the modern dolls have moveable heads. Only Yamagata old-style dolls have moveable heads. Old-style doll collectors in Japan have formed a national society organization which promotes the study of the art. Many of the members are well-to-do artists, scholars, and business people. They visit the more remote mountain villages, buying, exchanging and publish their findings and photos in scholarly journals. It was my privilege to become an honorary member during 1952-54." Georgia Sealoff (donor) |
| 1996.010.090 | Doll | Wood Kokeshi Doll Swivel drum shaped head with faded red flower petals on top and painted black split topknot, bangs, side hair pieces, with red dots above, black eyebrows, eyes with upper lids, u-shaped nose, faded red mouth; cylindrical body tapered in middle and dome shaped at top with faded red stripes on top and bottom, two faded red chysanthemums on center front, top one is half flower and whole bottom one. Ring shaped groove on bottom and black ink kanji: "From Narukomachi (town), Made by Takahashi", Number 170 in pencil. KOKESHI DOLLS: "Kokeshi are said to have originated in the Tohoku region in the hands of the lathe-craftsmen who lived a gypsy life in the mountains of that region, seeking good wood material for their craft. Eventually, about the middle of the Edo Period, these craftsmen settled down near the many spas that abounded in that region, and began to make...kokeshi...may be related to the household god." from p. 26, The Folk Toys of Japan by Misako Shishido "They date from the late Edo period when both leisure time and affluence in farming communities became not just a sought-after dream. Essentially a doll, the kokeshi are believed to have their origins in the practice of spiritualist religion... Sumptuary laws surely had a creativehand in the first kokeshi's form taking. Probably it was a roughly human form turned on a handpowered wood lathe...Each is made from a single piece? of finely turned and finished hardwood. Wood varies widely but the most generally used type is the native dogwood which is both fine-grained and light in tone...Probably the most well-known, Naruko-no-kokeshi come from a small community located in the northwest of the prefecture and is one of main entry points for Kurikoma National Park. An abundance of hot springs makes kokeshi turning all the more lucrative a winter pastime." p. 21, Mingei: Japan's Enduring Folk Arts by Amaury Saint-Gilles "The old style dolls were first crafted more than 300 years ago, perhaps during the Tokugawa Shogunate period. They are all female, and never include arms, legs, hands or feet. They are considered a "cottage" industry during the long winter months of the Tohoku district of Japan: Yamagata, Aomori, Miyagi, Fukushima and Akita Prefectures in Norther part of Honshu Island. While her huspand held the knife to whittle the long slim body with a round head, the wife pulled the pulley on the turning lathe mechanism which produced a gutteral sound pronounced as "kokeshi". Sizes vary from 1/2 inch to 5 feet tall. Each doll maker with dyes and paint would imbue his dolls with certain facial expressions, hair style, and a design of kimono and obi. He placed his signature on the bottom of each day's output. The skills and designs were passed down from one generation to the next, so a collector can identify them by prefecture, district, village and maker. The Naruka Hot Springs area of Miyagi Prefecture has developed a thriving village industry since 1945. They use modern equipment for the carving and employ many people to paint. The new style competes with the old style in popularity there. The new style kokeshi dolls reflect the coeducation movement in modern Japan. Boy and girl dolls sold in pairs became popular and have been mass produced and exported all over the world. Characters out of folktales and literature are available...Almost all of the modern dolls have moveable heads. Only Yamagata old-style dolls have moveable heads. Old-style doll collectors in Japan have formed a national society organization which promotes the study of the art. Many of the members are well-to-do artists, scholars, and business people. They visit the more remote mountain villages, buying, exchanging and publish their findings and photos in scholarly journals. It was my privilege to become an honorary member during 1952-54." Georgia Sealoff (donor) |
| 1996.010.090 | Doll | Wood Kokeshi Doll Swivel drum shaped head with faded red flower petals on top and painted black split topknot, bangs, side hair pieces, with red dots above, black eyebrows, eyes with upper lids, u-shaped nose, faded red mouth; cylindrical body tapered in middle and dome shaped at top with faded red stripes on top and bottom, two faded red chysanthemums on center front, top one is half flower and whole bottom one. Ring shaped groove on bottom and black ink kanji: "From Narukomachi (town), Made by Takahashi", Number 170 in pencil. KOKESHI DOLLS: "Kokeshi are said to have originated in the Tohoku region in the hands of the lathe-craftsmen who lived a gypsy life in the mountains of that region, seeking good wood material for their craft. Eventually, about the middle of the Edo Period, these craftsmen settled down near the many spas that abounded in that region, and began to make...kokeshi...may be related to the household god." from p. 26, The Folk Toys of Japan by Misako Shishido "They date from the late Edo period when both leisure time and affluence in farming communities became not just a sought-after dream. Essentially a doll, the kokeshi are believed to have their origins in the practice of spiritualist religion... Sumptuary laws surely had a creativehand in the first kokeshi's form taking. Probably it was a roughly human form turned on a handpowered wood lathe...Each is made from a single piece? of finely turned and finished hardwood. Wood varies widely but the most generally used type is the native dogwood which is both fine-grained and light in tone...Probably the most well-known, Naruko-no-kokeshi come from a small community located in the northwest of the prefecture and is one of main entry points for Kurikoma National Park. An abundance of hot springs makes kokeshi turning all the more lucrative a winter pastime." p. 21, Mingei: Japan's Enduring Folk Arts by Amaury Saint-Gilles "The old style dolls were first crafted more than 300 years ago, perhaps during the Tokugawa Shogunate period. They are all female, and never include arms, legs, hands or feet. They are considered a "cottage" industry during the long winter months of the Tohoku district of Japan: Yamagata, Aomori, Miyagi, Fukushima and Akita Prefectures in Norther part of Honshu Island. While her huspand held the knife to whittle the long slim body with a round head, the wife pulled the pulley on the turning lathe mechanism which produced a gutteral sound pronounced as "kokeshi". Sizes vary from 1/2 inch to 5 feet tall. Each doll maker with dyes and paint would imbue his dolls with certain facial expressions, hair style, and a design of kimono and obi. He placed his signature on the bottom of each day's output. The skills and designs were passed down from one generation to the next, so a collector can identify them by prefecture, district, village and maker. The Naruka Hot Springs area of Miyagi Prefecture has developed a thriving village industry since 1945. They use modern equipment for the carving and employ many people to paint. The new style competes with the old style in popularity there. The new style kokeshi dolls reflect the coeducation movement in modern Japan. Boy and girl dolls sold in pairs became popular and have been mass produced and exported all over the world. Characters out of folktales and literature are available...Almost all of the modern dolls have moveable heads. Only Yamagata old-style dolls have moveable heads. Old-style doll collectors in Japan have formed a national society organization which promotes the study of the art. Many of the members are well-to-do artists, scholars, and business people. They visit the more remote mountain villages, buying, exchanging and publish their findings and photos in scholarly journals. It was my privilege to become an honorary member during 1952-54." Georgia Sealoff (donor) |
| 1996.010.091 | Doll | Wood Kokeshi Doll Immobile round head with painted black ring on top with hair fringe below and side hair pieces, faded red markings on forehead and side of face, black eyebrows, eyes with upper lids, nose, two red dots for mouth; cylindrical body with wider bottom and rounded top, red collar (eri) shapes at neck, 3 red stripes around middle and 2 vertical red stripes at lower front indicating open kimono. On bottom is black ink kanji: "Made by Takeuchi" KOKESHI DOLLS: "Kokeshi are said to have originated in the Tohoku region in the hands of the lathe-craftsmen who lived a gypsy life in the mountains of that region, seeking good wood material for their craft. Eventually, about the middle of the Edo Period, these craftsmen settled down near the many spas that abounded in that region, and began to make...kokeshi...may be related to the household god." from p. 26, The Folk Toys of Japan by Misako Shishido "They date from the late Edo period when both leisure time and affluence in farming communities became not just a sought-after dream. Essentially a doll, the kokeshi are believed to have their origins in the practice of spiritualist religion... Sumptuary laws surely had a creativehand in the first kokeshi's form taking. Probably it was a roughly human form turned on a handpowered wood lathe...Each is made from a single piece? of finely turned and finished hardwood. Wood varies widely but the most generally used type is the native dogwood which is both fine-grained and light in tone...Probably the most well-known, Naruko-no-kokeshi come from a small community located in the northwest of the prefecture and is one of main entry points for Kurikoma National Park. An abundance of hot springs makes kokeshi turning all the more lucrative a winter pastime." p. 21, Mingei: Japan's Enduring Folk Arts by Amaury Saint-Gilles "The old style dolls were first crafted more than 300 years ago, perhaps during the Tokugawa Shogunate period. They are all female, and never include arms, legs, hands or feet. They are considered a "cottage" industry during the long winter months of the Tohoku district of Japan: Yamagata, Aomori, Miyagi, Fukushima and Akita Prefectures in Norther part of Honshu Island. While her huspand held the knife to whittle the long slim body with a round head, the wife pulled the pulley on the turning lathe mechanism which produced a gutteral sound pronounced as "kokeshi". Sizes vary from 1/2 inch to 5 feet tall. Each doll maker with dyes and paint would imbue his dolls with certain facial expressions, hair style, and a design of kimono and obi. He placed his signature on the bottom of each day's output. The skills and designs were passed down from one generation to the next, so a collector can identify them by prefecture, district, village and maker. The Naruka Hot Springs area of Miyagi Prefecture has developed a thriving village industry since 1945. They use modern equipment for the carving and employ many people to paint. The new style competes with the old style in popularity there. The new style kokeshi dolls reflect the coeducation movement in modern Japan. Boy and girl dolls sold in pairs became popular and have been mass produced and exported all over the world. Characters out of folktales and literature are available...Almost all of the modern dolls have moveable heads. Only Yamagata old-style dolls have moveable heads. Old-style doll collectors in Japan have formed a national society organization which promotes the study of the art. Many of the members are well-to-do artists, scholars, and business people. They visit the more remote mountain villages, buying, exchanging and publish their findings and photos in scholarly journals. It was my privilege to become an honorary member during 1952-54." Georgia Sealoff (donor) |
| 1996.010.091 | Doll | Wood Kokeshi Doll Immobile round head with painted black ring on top with hair fringe below and side hair pieces, faded red markings on forehead and side of face, black eyebrows, eyes with upper lids, nose, two red dots for mouth; cylindrical body with wider bottom and rounded top, red collar (eri) shapes at neck, 3 red stripes around middle and 2 vertical red stripes at lower front indicating open kimono. On bottom is black ink kanji: "Made by Takeuchi" KOKESHI DOLLS: "Kokeshi are said to have originated in the Tohoku region in the hands of the lathe-craftsmen who lived a gypsy life in the mountains of that region, seeking good wood material for their craft. Eventually, about the middle of the Edo Period, these craftsmen settled down near the many spas that abounded in that region, and began to make...kokeshi...may be related to the household god." from p. 26, The Folk Toys of Japan by Misako Shishido "They date from the late Edo period when both leisure time and affluence in farming communities became not just a sought-after dream. Essentially a doll, the kokeshi are believed to have their origins in the practice of spiritualist religion... Sumptuary laws surely had a creativehand in the first kokeshi's form taking. Probably it was a roughly human form turned on a handpowered wood lathe...Each is made from a single piece? of finely turned and finished hardwood. Wood varies widely but the most generally used type is the native dogwood which is both fine-grained and light in tone...Probably the most well-known, Naruko-no-kokeshi come from a small community located in the northwest of the prefecture and is one of main entry points for Kurikoma National Park. An abundance of hot springs makes kokeshi turning all the more lucrative a winter pastime." p. 21, Mingei: Japan's Enduring Folk Arts by Amaury Saint-Gilles "The old style dolls were first crafted more than 300 years ago, perhaps during the Tokugawa Shogunate period. They are all female, and never include arms, legs, hands or feet. They are considered a "cottage" industry during the long winter months of the Tohoku district of Japan: Yamagata, Aomori, Miyagi, Fukushima and Akita Prefectures in Norther part of Honshu Island. While her huspand held the knife to whittle the long slim body with a round head, the wife pulled the pulley on the turning lathe mechanism which produced a gutteral sound pronounced as "kokeshi". Sizes vary from 1/2 inch to 5 feet tall. Each doll maker with dyes and paint would imbue his dolls with certain facial expressions, hair style, and a design of kimono and obi. He placed his signature on the bottom of each day's output. The skills and designs were passed down from one generation to the next, so a collector can identify them by prefecture, district, village and maker. The Naruka Hot Springs area of Miyagi Prefecture has developed a thriving village industry since 1945. They use modern equipment for the carving and employ many people to paint. The new style competes with the old style in popularity there. The new style kokeshi dolls reflect the coeducation movement in modern Japan. Boy and girl dolls sold in pairs became popular and have been mass produced and exported all over the world. Characters out of folktales and literature are available...Almost all of the modern dolls have moveable heads. Only Yamagata old-style dolls have moveable heads. Old-style doll collectors in Japan have formed a national society organization which promotes the study of the art. Many of the members are well-to-do artists, scholars, and business people. They visit the more remote mountain villages, buying, exchanging and publish their findings and photos in scholarly journals. It was my privilege to become an honorary member during 1952-54." Georgia Sealoff (donor) |
| 1996.010.092 | Doll | Wood Kokeshi Doll Large swivel roundish head with flat top, painted black topknot and tied bangs, faded red floral design beside topknot, black side hair pieces and faded red dots above, black eyebrows, eyes with upper lids, u-shaped nose, mouth with 2 red dots; cylindrical body tapered at middle with dome shaped top and groove below dome and groove near bottom, 3 red triangular shaped floral designs resembling white chrysanthemums with red petal shapes behind, red band at bottom. Circular groove on bottom and black ink kanji: "Made by Akira Sakurai" Number 300 written in pencil. KOKESHI DOLLS: "Kokeshi are said to have originated in the Tohoku region in the hands of the lathe-craftsmen who lived a gypsy life in the mountains of that region, seeking good wood material for their craft. Eventually, about the middle of the Edo Period, these craftsmen settled down near the many spas that abounded in that region, and began to make...kokeshi...may be related to the household god." from p. 26, The Folk Toys of Japan by Misako Shishido "They date from the late Edo period when both leisure time and affluence in farming communities became not just a sought-after dream. Essentially a doll, the kokeshi are believed to have their origins in the practice of spiritualist religion... Sumptuary laws surely had a creativehand in the first kokeshi's form taking. Probably it was a roughly human form turned on a handpowered wood lathe...Each is made from a single piece? of finely turned and finished hardwood. Wood varies widely but the most generally used type is the native dogwood which is both fine-grained and light in tone...Probably the most well-known, Naruko-no-kokeshi come from a small community located in the northwest of the prefecture and is one of main entry points for Kurikoma National Park. An abundance of hot springs makes kokeshi turning all the more lucrative a winter pastime." p. 21, Mingei: Japan's Enduring Folk Arts by Amaury Saint-Gilles "The old style dolls were first crafted more than 300 years ago, perhaps during the Tokugawa Shogunate period. They are all female, and never include arms, legs, hands or feet. They are considered a "cottage" industry during the long winter months of the Tohoku district of Japan: Yamagata, Aomori, Miyagi, Fukushima and Akita Prefectures in Norther part of Honshu Island. While her huspand held the knife to whittle the long slim body with a round head, the wife pulled the pulley on the turning lathe mechanism which produced a gutteral sound pronounced as "kokeshi". Sizes vary from 1/2 inch to 5 feet tall. Each doll maker with dyes and paint would imbue his dolls with certain facial expressions, hair style, and a design of kimono and obi. He placed his signature on the bottom of each day's output. The skills and designs were passed down from one generation to the next, so a collector can identify them by prefecture, district, village and maker. The Naruka Hot Springs area of Miyagi Prefecture has developed a thriving village industry since 1945. They use modern equipment for the carving and employ many people to paint. The new style competes with the old style in popularity there. The new style kokeshi dolls reflect the coeducation movement in modern Japan. Boy and girl dolls sold in pairs became popular and have been mass produced and exported all over the world. Characters out of folktales and literature are available...Almost all of the modern dolls have moveable heads. Only Yamagata old-style dolls have moveable heads. Old-style doll collectors in Japan have formed a national society organization which promotes the study of the art. Many of the members are well-to-do artists, scholars, and business people. They visit the more remote mountain villages, buying, exchanging and publish their findings and photos in scholarly journals. It was my privilege to become an honorary member during 1952-54." Georgia Sealoff (donor) |
| 1996.010.092 | Doll | Wood Kokeshi Doll Large swivel roundish head with flat top, painted black topknot and tied bangs, faded red floral design beside topknot, black side hair pieces and faded red dots above, black eyebrows, eyes with upper lids, u-shaped nose, mouth with 2 red dots; cylindrical body tapered at middle with dome shaped top and groove below dome and groove near bottom, 3 red triangular shaped floral designs resembling white chrysanthemums with red petal shapes behind, red band at bottom. Circular groove on bottom and black ink kanji: "Made by Akira Sakurai" Number 300 written in pencil. KOKESHI DOLLS: "Kokeshi are said to have originated in the Tohoku region in the hands of the lathe-craftsmen who lived a gypsy life in the mountains of that region, seeking good wood material for their craft. Eventually, about the middle of the Edo Period, these craftsmen settled down near the many spas that abounded in that region, and began to make...kokeshi...may be related to the household god." from p. 26, The Folk Toys of Japan by Misako Shishido "They date from the late Edo period when both leisure time and affluence in farming communities became not just a sought-after dream. Essentially a doll, the kokeshi are believed to have their origins in the practice of spiritualist religion... Sumptuary laws surely had a creativehand in the first kokeshi's form taking. Probably it was a roughly human form turned on a handpowered wood lathe...Each is made from a single piece? of finely turned and finished hardwood. Wood varies widely but the most generally used type is the native dogwood which is both fine-grained and light in tone...Probably the most well-known, Naruko-no-kokeshi come from a small community located in the northwest of the prefecture and is one of main entry points for Kurikoma National Park. An abundance of hot springs makes kokeshi turning all the more lucrative a winter pastime." p. 21, Mingei: Japan's Enduring Folk Arts by Amaury Saint-Gilles "The old style dolls were first crafted more than 300 years ago, perhaps during the Tokugawa Shogunate period. They are all female, and never include arms, legs, hands or feet. They are considered a "cottage" industry during the long winter months of the Tohoku district of Japan: Yamagata, Aomori, Miyagi, Fukushima and Akita Prefectures in Norther part of Honshu Island. While her huspand held the knife to whittle the long slim body with a round head, the wife pulled the pulley on the turning lathe mechanism which produced a gutteral sound pronounced as "kokeshi". Sizes vary from 1/2 inch to 5 feet tall. Each doll maker with dyes and paint would imbue his dolls with certain facial expressions, hair style, and a design of kimono and obi. He placed his signature on the bottom of each day's output. The skills and designs were passed down from one generation to the next, so a collector can identify them by prefecture, district, village and maker. The Naruka Hot Springs area of Miyagi Prefecture has developed a thriving village industry since 1945. They use modern equipment for the carving and employ many people to paint. The new style competes with the old style in popularity there. The new style kokeshi dolls reflect the coeducation movement in modern Japan. Boy and girl dolls sold in pairs became popular and have been mass produced and exported all over the world. Characters out of folktales and literature are available...Almost all of the modern dolls have moveable heads. Only Yamagata old-style dolls have moveable heads. Old-style doll collectors in Japan have formed a national society organization which promotes the study of the art. Many of the members are well-to-do artists, scholars, and business people. They visit the more remote mountain villages, buying, exchanging and publish their findings and photos in scholarly journals. It was my privilege to become an honorary member during 1952-54." Georgia Sealoff (donor) |
| 1996.010.093 | Doll | Wood Kokeshi Doll Swivel round head, painted black pony tail, bangs, side hair pieces, faded dark marks on top of head and eyebrows, black almond shape eyes, hooked nose, red dot for mouth; cylindrical body with dome top and recessed bottom, painted black collar (eri), faded dark outline and horizontal stripes on either side, main body has alternating groups of red and black horizontal pin stripes, 3 vertical stripes on recessed bottom, black central stripe with faded dark marks on either side. On bottom is black ink kanji: (possibly) "Made by Hatsuhara" KOKESHI DOLLS: "Kokeshi are said to have originated in the Tohoku region in the hands of the lathe-craftsmen who lived a gypsy life in the mountains of that region, seeking good wood material for their craft. Eventually, about the middle of the Edo Period, these craftsmen settled down near the many spas that abounded in that region, and began to make...kokeshi...may be related to the household god." from p. 26, The Folk Toys of Japan by Misako Shishido "They date from the late Edo period when both leisure time and affluence in farming communities became not just a sought-after dream. Essentially a doll, the kokeshi are believed to have their origins in the practice of spiritualist religion... Sumptuary laws surely had a creativehand in the first kokeshi's form taking. Probably it was a roughly human form turned on a handpowered wood lathe...Each is made from a single piece? of finely turned and finished hardwood. Wood varies widely but the most generally used type is the native dogwood which is both fine-grained and light in tone...Probably the most well-known, Naruko-no-kokeshi come from a small community located in the northwest of the prefecture and is one of main entry points for Kurikoma National Park. An abundance of hot springs makes kokeshi turning all the more lucrative a winter pastime." p. 21, Mingei: Japan's Enduring Folk Arts by Amaury Saint-Gilles "The old style dolls were first crafted more than 300 years ago, perhaps during the Tokugawa Shogunate period. They are all female, and never include arms, legs, hands or feet. They are considered a "cottage" industry during the long winter months of the Tohoku district of Japan: Yamagata, Aomori, Miyagi, Fukushima and Akita Prefectures in Norther part of Honshu Island. While her huspand held the knife to whittle the long slim body with a round head, the wife pulled the pulley on the turning lathe mechanism which produced a gutteral sound pronounced as "kokeshi". Sizes vary from 1/2 inch to 5 feet tall. Each doll maker with dyes and paint would imbue his dolls with certain facial expressions, hair style, and a design of kimono and obi. He placed his signature on the bottom of each day's output. The skills and designs were passed down from one generation to the next, so a collector can identify them by prefecture, district, village and maker. The Naruka Hot Springs area of Miyagi Prefecture has developed a thriving village industry since 1945. They use modern equipment for the carving and employ many people to paint. The new style competes with the old style in popularity there. The new style kokeshi dolls reflect the coeducation movement in modern Japan. Boy and girl dolls sold in pairs became popular and have been mass produced and exported all over the world. Characters out of folktales and literature are available...Almost all of the modern dolls have moveable heads. Only Yamagata old-style dolls have moveable heads. Old-style doll collectors in Japan have formed a national society organization which promotes the study of the art. Many of the members are well-to-do artists, scholars, and business people. They visit the more remote mountain villages, buying, exchanging and publish their findings and photos in scholarly journals. It was my privilege to become an honorary member during 1952-54." Georgia Sealoff (donor) |
| 1996.010.093 | Doll | Wood Kokeshi Doll Swivel round head, painted black pony tail, bangs, side hair pieces, faded dark marks on top of head and eyebrows, black almond shape eyes, hooked nose, red dot for mouth; cylindrical body with dome top and recessed bottom, painted black collar (eri), faded dark outline and horizontal stripes on either side, main body has alternating groups of red and black horizontal pin stripes, 3 vertical stripes on recessed bottom, black central stripe with faded dark marks on either side. On bottom is black ink kanji: (possibly) "Made by Hatsuhara" KOKESHI DOLLS: "Kokeshi are said to have originated in the Tohoku region in the hands of the lathe-craftsmen who lived a gypsy life in the mountains of that region, seeking good wood material for their craft. Eventually, about the middle of the Edo Period, these craftsmen settled down near the many spas that abounded in that region, and began to make...kokeshi...may be related to the household god." from p. 26, The Folk Toys of Japan by Misako Shishido "They date from the late Edo period when both leisure time and affluence in farming communities became not just a sought-after dream. Essentially a doll, the kokeshi are believed to have their origins in the practice of spiritualist religion... Sumptuary laws surely had a creativehand in the first kokeshi's form taking. Probably it was a roughly human form turned on a handpowered wood lathe...Each is made from a single piece? of finely turned and finished hardwood. Wood varies widely but the most generally used type is the native dogwood which is both fine-grained and light in tone...Probably the most well-known, Naruko-no-kokeshi come from a small community located in the northwest of the prefecture and is one of main entry points for Kurikoma National Park. An abundance of hot springs makes kokeshi turning all the more lucrative a winter pastime." p. 21, Mingei: Japan's Enduring Folk Arts by Amaury Saint-Gilles "The old style dolls were first crafted more than 300 years ago, perhaps during the Tokugawa Shogunate period. They are all female, and never include arms, legs, hands or feet. They are considered a "cottage" industry during the long winter months of the Tohoku district of Japan: Yamagata, Aomori, Miyagi, Fukushima and Akita Prefectures in Norther part of Honshu Island. While her huspand held the knife to whittle the long slim body with a round head, the wife pulled the pulley on the turning lathe mechanism which produced a gutteral sound pronounced as "kokeshi". Sizes vary from 1/2 inch to 5 feet tall. Each doll maker with dyes and paint would imbue his dolls with certain facial expressions, hair style, and a design of kimono and obi. He placed his signature on the bottom of each day's output. The skills and designs were passed down from one generation to the next, so a collector can identify them by prefecture, district, village and maker. The Naruka Hot Springs area of Miyagi Prefecture has developed a thriving village industry since 1945. They use modern equipment for the carving and employ many people to paint. The new style competes with the old style in popularity there. The new style kokeshi dolls reflect the coeducation movement in modern Japan. Boy and girl dolls sold in pairs became popular and have been mass produced and exported all over the world. Characters out of folktales and literature are available...Almost all of the modern dolls have moveable heads. Only Yamagata old-style dolls have moveable heads. Old-style doll collectors in Japan have formed a national society organization which promotes the study of the art. Many of the members are well-to-do artists, scholars, and business people. They visit the more remote mountain villages, buying, exchanging and publish their findings and photos in scholarly journals. It was my privilege to become an honorary member during 1952-54." Georgia Sealoff (donor) |
| 1996.010.094 | Doll | Kokeshi Doll Turned wood, 2 joined pieces, immobile head, painted black hair fringe with bald center, black bangs and side pieces, black line runs around head below fringe, painted red ribbon bows, painted black eyebrows, smiling eyes, long nose, red upturned mouth with black outline; body has 5 sets of red bands with wavy line in middle, faded black bands interspersed; on bottom is black ink kanji: "Made at Iwashiro, Tsuchiyu, made by Sato Shoichi" (see 1996.10.120) |
| 1996.010.094 | Doll | Kokeshi Doll Turned wood, 2 joined pieces, immobile head, painted black hair fringe with bald center, black bangs and side pieces, black line runs around head below fringe, painted red ribbon bows, painted black eyebrows, smiling eyes, long nose, red upturned mouth with black outline; body has 5 sets of red bands with wavy line in middle, faded black bands interspersed; on bottom is black ink kanji: "Made at Iwashiro, Tsuchiyu, made by Sato Shoichi" (see 1996.10.120) |
| 1996.010.095 | Doll | Kokeshi Doll Turned wood, two pieces immobile head, painted red markings on crown and sides indicating tied kerchef, painted black bangs and side hair pieces, igh eyebrows, black eyes with extended lids. V - shaped nose, two small red lines for mouth; small cylindrical body has two sets of painted red bands at top and bottom, at center front are two flower shapes with red and faded green petals and leafs. On bottom in pencil is the number 70. |
| 1996.010.095 | Doll | Kokeshi Doll Turned wood, two pieces immobile head, painted red markings on crown and sides indicating tied kerchef, painted black bangs and side hair pieces, igh eyebrows, black eyes with extended lids. V - shaped nose, two small red lines for mouth; small cylindrical body has two sets of painted red bands at top and bottom, at center front are two flower shapes with red and faded green petals and leafs. On bottom in pencil is the number 70. |
| 1996.010.096 | Doll | Kokeshi Doll Turned wood, two pieces with swivel head. Painted red marks on top of head indicate kerchief, painted black hair on top and sides, heavy eyebrows, eyes with upper lid, u-shaped nose, two red dots for lips. Body has rounded top that narrows in the center and flairs at bottom, on center front are three sets of floral motifs with red petals and green leafs. On bottom are black kanji: "at Naoko, made by Takahashi Takeo" |
| 1996.010.096 | Doll | Kokeshi Doll Turned wood, two pieces with swivel head. Painted red marks on top of head indicate kerchief, painted black hair on top and sides, heavy eyebrows, eyes with upper lid, u-shaped nose, two red dots for lips. Body has rounded top that narrows in the center and flairs at bottom, on center front are three sets of floral motifs with red petals and green leafs. On bottom are black kanji: "at Naoko, made by Takahashi Takeo" |
| 1996.010.097 | Doll | Kokeshi Doll Turned wood, two pieces, immobile head, cylindrical shaped body. Flat top head with black painted snake eye rings, black bangs and side hair pieces, high eyebrows, black dots for eyes with lids outlined, long nose, red dot for mouth with outline of black; body has three wide red bands at top middle and bottom, faded green lines above and below red bands. On bottom black ink kanji: "Sodeshima ?, made by Takahashi Tadao, Kiyomachi" (place) |
| 1996.010.097 | Doll | Kokeshi Doll Turned wood, two pieces, immobile head, cylindrical shaped body. Flat top head with black painted snake eye rings, black bangs and side hair pieces, high eyebrows, black dots for eyes with lids outlined, long nose, red dot for mouth with outline of black; body has three wide red bands at top middle and bottom, faded green lines above and below red bands. On bottom black ink kanji: "Sodeshima ?, made by Takahashi Tadao, Kiyomachi" (place) |
| 1996.010.098 | Doll | Kokeshi Doll Turned wood, two pieces, immobile head, body rounded at top narrower at center, flairs at bottom. Painted red markings on crown indicate tied kerchief, black hair at top and sides heavy eyebrows, small eyes, U-shaped nose, red dot for mouth; body at center front has red petals and faded green leaves, above flowers is a red triangle and faded green lines indicating kimono neckline. |
| 1996.010.098 | Doll | Kokeshi Doll Turned wood, two pieces, immobile head, body rounded at top narrower at center, flairs at bottom. Painted red markings on crown indicate tied kerchief, black hair at top and sides heavy eyebrows, small eyes, U-shaped nose, red dot for mouth; body at center front has red petals and faded green leaves, above flowers is a red triangle and faded green lines indicating kimono neckline. |
| 1996.010.099 | Doll | Kokeshi Doll Turned wood, one piece, oval shaped cylinder. Flat top head with painted red markings indicating tied kerchief, black bangs and side hair pieces, high eyebrows, wide eyes, u-shaped nose, red dot for mouth outlinded in black; on body shoulders slope down, two sets of painted red bands at top and bottom, at center front are three red floral designs. The whole doll has been varnished. |
| 1996.010.099 | Doll | Kokeshi Doll Turned wood, one piece, oval shaped cylinder. Flat top head with painted red markings indicating tied kerchief, black bangs and side hair pieces, high eyebrows, wide eyes, u-shaped nose, red dot for mouth outlinded in black; on body shoulders slope down, two sets of painted red bands at top and bottom, at center front are three red floral designs. The whole doll has been varnished. |
| 1996.010.100 | Doll | Kokeshii Doll Turned wood, two pieces, swivel head. Faded red markings on head indicate kerchief, painted black bangs, top knot and side pieces, eyebrows, eyes with upper lid, u-shaped nose, two red dots for mouth. Body has round shoulders, ledge on top, carved groove near bottom indicating a hem, at center front three red feather shaped motifs, signs of faded green leaf motifs. On bottom is black ink kanji: "at Naruko (place), Takahashi Shogo (maker)" |
| 1996.010.100 | Doll | Kokeshii Doll Turned wood, two pieces, swivel head. Faded red markings on head indicate kerchief, painted black bangs, top knot and side pieces, eyebrows, eyes with upper lid, u-shaped nose, two red dots for mouth. Body has round shoulders, ledge on top, carved groove near bottom indicating a hem, at center front three red feather shaped motifs, signs of faded green leaf motifs. On bottom is black ink kanji: "at Naruko (place), Takahashi Shogo (maker)" |
| 1996.010.101 | Doll | Kokeshi Dolls Turned Wood, one piece immobile head, hour glass shaped body. Large red dot crown on head surrounded by painted black hair fringe, two red lines on forehead, red marking above eyebrows and on each side of face, black "mountain peak" eyebrows, black dots with downswept lines for eyes, fully outlined nose, two red dots on cheeks, red dot for mouth outlined in black; on body are three sets of red fine and wide bands, at center front are red petal markings one on chest and on at lower front. On bottom stamped in English are "Made in Japan" and black ink kanji: "Ohara, made by Honda Kameji". |
| 1996.010.101 | Doll | Kokeshi Dolls Turned Wood, one piece immobile head, hour glass shaped body. Large red dot crown on head surrounded by painted black hair fringe, two red lines on forehead, red marking above eyebrows and on each side of face, black "mountain peak" eyebrows, black dots with downswept lines for eyes, fully outlined nose, two red dots on cheeks, red dot for mouth outlined in black; on body are three sets of red fine and wide bands, at center front are red petal markings one on chest and on at lower front. On bottom stamped in English are "Made in Japan" and black ink kanji: "Ohara, made by Honda Kameji". |
| 1996.010.102 | Doll | Kokeshi Doll Turned wood one piece immobile head. Black painted circular hair fringe around head with side hair pieces, pointed eyebrows, fully drawn eyes, long nose, two black lines for mouth, faded red paint markings on crown side of head and cheeks; body widens at the bottom, and has faded red paint markings which are indistinguishable. On bottom is black ink kanji: "made by Honda Tsurumatsu" |
| 1996.010.102 | Doll | Kokeshi Doll Turned wood one piece immobile head. Black painted circular hair fringe around head with side hair pieces, pointed eyebrows, fully drawn eyes, long nose, two black lines for mouth, faded red paint markings on crown side of head and cheeks; body widens at the bottom, and has faded red paint markings which are indistinguishable. On bottom is black ink kanji: "made by Honda Tsurumatsu" |
| 1996.010.103 | Doll | Kokeshi Doll Turned wood, swivel head is separate. A: Body, round shoulders with ledge, narrows in middle and flaring at bottom, hole for neck in center top. Two sets if painted green and red bands of varying widths at top and bottom, at center front are painted red flowers, large one in center and two smaller ones above, green leaves and stems beneath flower heads. B: Head, has flat top and neck which fits into body hole. Painted black top knot, bangs and side hair pieces, eyebrows, half closed eyes, u-shaped nose, red dot for mouth, faded red petal shapes on either side of head indicate tied kerchief. |
| 1996.010.103 | Doll | Kokeshi Doll Turned wood, swivel head is separate. A: Body, round shoulders with ledge, narrows in middle and flaring at bottom, hole for neck in center top. Two sets if painted green and red bands of varying widths at top and bottom, at center front are painted red flowers, large one in center and two smaller ones above, green leaves and stems beneath flower heads. B: Head, has flat top and neck which fits into body hole. Painted black top knot, bangs and side hair pieces, eyebrows, half closed eyes, u-shaped nose, red dot for mouth, faded red petal shapes on either side of head indicate tied kerchief. |
| 1996.010.104 | Doll | Kokeshi Doll Turned wood, two pieces, immobile head. Large flat top head has faded red petal markings indicating kerchief, painted black bangs and side pieces, large eyebrows and eyes with upper and lower lids, upside down v-shaped nose, one dot and line form red mouth; body has two sets of two bands on top and bottom, center front has four faded red triangular tree shapes. On bottom is black ink kanji: (too stylized to interpret name) |
| 1996.010.104 | Doll | Kokeshi Doll Turned wood, two pieces, immobile head. Large flat top head has faded red petal markings indicating kerchief, painted black bangs and side pieces, large eyebrows and eyes with upper and lower lids, upside down v-shaped nose, one dot and line form red mouth; body has two sets of two bands on top and bottom, center front has four faded red triangular tree shapes. On bottom is black ink kanji: (too stylized to interpret name) |
| 1996.010.105 | Doll | Kokeshi Doll Turned wood, two joined pieces, immobile head, painted red marks indicating a kerchief tied in knot at front, painted black bangs, top hair and side pieces, painted black eyebrows, eyes: black dot with fine lid outline, long nose, red dot mouth; body has 3 red spider like motifs down center front, black band at top and bottom. On bottom in pencil in kanji: "Yamagata (place), Ishiyama Mishiro (maker) |
| 1996.010.105 | Doll | Kokeshi Doll Turned wood, two joined pieces, immobile head, painted red marks indicating a kerchief tied in knot at front, painted black bangs, top hair and side pieces, painted black eyebrows, eyes: black dot with fine lid outline, long nose, red dot mouth; body has 3 red spider like motifs down center front, black band at top and bottom. On bottom in pencil in kanji: "Yamagata (place), Ishiyama Mishiro (maker) |
| 1996.010.106 | Doll | |
| 1996.010.106 | Doll | |
| 1996.010.107 | Doll | Kokeshi Doll Turned wood, two pieces, immobile large flat topped head has black painted circle at crown, fine black line encircling top of head, black bangs and side hair pieces, black eyebrows, squinting eyes, and large nose, small red dot for mouth with fine black line above, on sides of head painted red bow shaped marks indicating tied kerchief; slender body has two wide red bands at top and bottom, at center front is faded red motif two red marks and petal shape, below this are two red marks. On bottom is black Kanji: "made by Iizaka Kihei" |
| 1996.010.107 | Doll | Kokeshi Doll Turned wood, two pieces, immobile large flat topped head has black painted circle at crown, fine black line encircling top of head, black bangs and side hair pieces, black eyebrows, squinting eyes, and large nose, small red dot for mouth with fine black line above, on sides of head painted red bow shaped marks indicating tied kerchief; slender body has two wide red bands at top and bottom, at center front is faded red motif two red marks and petal shape, below this are two red marks. On bottom is black Kanji: "made by Iizaka Kihei" |
| 1996.010.108 | Doll | Kokeshi Doll Modern style, carved of wood in 6 jointed pieces, tilted immobile head, carved topknot with painted black hair and red floral hair ribbon, painted red carved round hair ornament, painted black short hair with bangs, painted black quarter moon eyes with lower eyelashes and grey upper lids, 3 red dots for lips; carved shaped sleeves in front one indicates she is bringing her hand to her mouth, red painted black ground, carved plum blossom motif on sleeves, solid red painted kimono with black obi, carved knotch at neckline with engraved Y shaped collar; on bottom is red kanji stamp: "Made by Kazuo" |
| 1996.010.108 | Doll | Kokeshi Doll Modern style, carved of wood in 6 jointed pieces, tilted immobile head, carved topknot with painted black hair and red floral hair ribbon, painted red carved round hair ornament, painted black short hair with bangs, painted black quarter moon eyes with lower eyelashes and grey upper lids, 3 red dots for lips; carved shaped sleeves in front one indicates she is bringing her hand to her mouth, red painted black ground, carved plum blossom motif on sleeves, solid red painted kimono with black obi, carved knotch at neckline with engraved Y shaped collar; on bottom is red kanji stamp: "Made by Kazuo" |
| 1996.010.109 | Doll | Kokeshi Doll A: Turned wood, large wobbly head, depicting Maiko (apprentice Geisha), carved topknot, painted black bobbed style hair, painted red, white and beige floral patterned hair ribbon, painted red ribbon on both sides of face, painted black eyebrows, quarter eyes, u-shaped nose, 2 red dots for lips; body has painted beige floral kimono with black obi floral design hanging loosely at back, sleeves outlined in pink and black, collar is black and red, carved pedestal like bottom with painted red kimono hem and two painted pigeon toed feet wearing black clogs with red straps and white tabi. B: Carved wood hair ornament (kanzashi) in shape of magic wand, painted red with cherry blossoms and faded gold lines, pink, yellow and blue stripes on handle. |
| 1996.010.109 | Doll | Kokeshi Doll A: Turned wood, large wobbly head, depicting Maiko (apprentice Geisha), carved topknot, painted black bobbed style hair, painted red, white and beige floral patterned hair ribbon, painted red ribbon on both sides of face, painted black eyebrows, quarter eyes, u-shaped nose, 2 red dots for lips; body has painted beige floral kimono with black obi floral design hanging loosely at back, sleeves outlined in pink and black, collar is black and red, carved pedestal like bottom with painted red kimono hem and two painted pigeon toed feet wearing black clogs with red straps and white tabi. B: Carved wood hair ornament (kanzashi) in shape of magic wand, painted red with cherry blossoms and faded gold lines, pink, yellow and blue stripes on handle. |
| 1996.010.110 | Doll | Wooden Kokeshi Doll Round natural brown wood head with a knob on top representing hair bun, hair is painted black, high grey rounded eyebrows, grey oblong shaped nose, black dots for eyes, pink painted cheeks, wide red smiling mouth; head has narrow peg for neck which is inserted into the body so that it can nod. The body is cylindrical shaped, rounded and narrowed at the top, slightly narrowed at the bottom. Black painted outline of kimono, the brown natural wood acts as the background to pink plum blossoms with yellow stamens, green painted obi with white circle design, dark red painted obi jime and under collar. There is a black character written on the bottom. |
| 1996.010.110 | Doll | Wooden Kokeshi Doll Round natural brown wood head with a knob on top representing hair bun, hair is painted black, high grey rounded eyebrows, grey oblong shaped nose, black dots for eyes, pink painted cheeks, wide red smiling mouth; head has narrow peg for neck which is inserted into the body so that it can nod. The body is cylindrical shaped, rounded and narrowed at the top, slightly narrowed at the bottom. Black painted outline of kimono, the brown natural wood acts as the background to pink plum blossoms with yellow stamens, green painted obi with white circle design, dark red painted obi jime and under collar. There is a black character written on the bottom. |
| 1996.010.111 | Doll | Kokeshi Doll Turned wood, round swivel head, black painted short hair with bangs, painted black eyebrows, quarter moon eyes, u-shaped nose, red puckered lips; body has beige kimono with blue, pink and red morning glory design, heko obi with green tie dyed design tied in back "Summer, made by Yohachi" |
| 1996.010.111 | Doll | Kokeshi Doll Turned wood, round swivel head, black painted short hair with bangs, painted black eyebrows, quarter moon eyes, u-shaped nose, red puckered lips; body has beige kimono with blue, pink and red morning glory design, heko obi with green tie dyed design tied in back "Summer, made by Yohachi" |
| 1996.010.112 | Doll | Kokeshi Doll Turned wood, one piece, thick round head and body tapering at bottom and carved vertical grooved pattern around bottom edge. Head is plain except for painted black hair at crown, two marks on either side of forehead, eyes are black horizontal lines as if they are closed, faint red dot for nose; body is painted with gradations of red and black. On the bottom is stamped "Japan" and a red stamped seal. |
| 1996.010.112 | Doll | Kokeshi Doll Turned wood, one piece, thick round head and body tapering at bottom and carved vertical grooved pattern around bottom edge. Head is plain except for painted black hair at crown, two marks on either side of forehead, eyes are black horizontal lines as if they are closed, faint red dot for nose; body is painted with gradations of red and black. On the bottom is stamped "Japan" and a red stamped seal. |
| 1996.010.113 | Doll | Kokeshi Doll Turned wood, two pieces, immobile head. Large flat head has painted purple petal shaped markings on crown and sides indicating a tied kerchief with green flower shape on top and green leaves on sides, painted black bangs and side hair, eyebrows, large downturned eyes, two downturned lines for nose, purple lips; body is a slender cylinder with rounded top, two sets of purple bands at top and bottom, at center front are five chrysanthemum motifs with purple petals, green centers and leaves (back view). On bottom black ink kanji: "Aone" (place name in Myagi Prefecture where a hot spring is located, translates as green root, in this area heads are carved very large with narrow body, radiating design on head, "crescent moon" shaped eyes, split nose--upside down Y) |
| 1996.010.113 | Doll | Kokeshi Doll Turned wood, two pieces, immobile head. Large flat head has painted purple petal shaped markings on crown and sides indicating a tied kerchief with green flower shape on top and green leaves on sides, painted black bangs and side hair, eyebrows, large downturned eyes, two downturned lines for nose, purple lips; body is a slender cylinder with rounded top, two sets of purple bands at top and bottom, at center front are five chrysanthemum motifs with purple petals, green centers and leaves (back view). On bottom black ink kanji: "Aone" (place name in Myagi Prefecture where a hot spring is located, translates as green root, in this area heads are carved very large with narrow body, radiating design on head, "crescent moon" shaped eyes, split nose--upside down Y) |
| 1996.010.114 | Doll | Kokeshi Doll Turned wood, one piece. Flat topped head has painted concentric circles on top, a red circle between two green circles. two red half circles on forehead, red petal shaped on sides may indicate kerchief, black half circle bangs and side hair pieces, black eyebrows, eyes with upper lids, long nose, red dot for mouth with black outline; body has three sets of fine bands of green and red at top and middle, two wide red bands around chest and lower body. Bottom is recessed with black ink kanji: "made by (too abbreviated to translate name)" |
| 1996.010.114 | Doll | Kokeshi Doll Turned wood, one piece. Flat topped head has painted concentric circles on top, a red circle between two green circles. two red half circles on forehead, red petal shaped on sides may indicate kerchief, black half circle bangs and side hair pieces, black eyebrows, eyes with upper lids, long nose, red dot for mouth with black outline; body has three sets of fine bands of green and red at top and middle, two wide red bands around chest and lower body. Bottom is recessed with black ink kanji: "made by (too abbreviated to translate name)" |
| 1996.010.115 | Doll | Kokeshi Doll Turned wood, one piece. Flat head with top knot, faded red circle at crown, painted black short hair, irregular painted features: large eyebrows, eyes and nose, upturned mouth: red with black outline; body has high rounded chest, narrow middle and flares at middle, faded red bands at top with faded red pattern at chest, alternating green with black, red bands around body, three faded flower motifs on top of bands, lower section has faded red pattern with red borders. On bottom written in pencil is place of origin "Aomori". |
| 1996.010.115 | Doll | Kokeshi Doll Turned wood, one piece. Flat head with top knot, faded red circle at crown, painted black short hair, irregular painted features: large eyebrows, eyes and nose, upturned mouth: red with black outline; body has high rounded chest, narrow middle and flares at middle, faded red bands at top with faded red pattern at chest, alternating green with black, red bands around body, three faded flower motifs on top of bands, lower section has faded red pattern with red borders. On bottom written in pencil is place of origin "Aomori". |
| 1996.010.116 | Doll | Kokeshi Doll Turned wood, one piece. Round head has red dot at crown, painted short black hair, quizzical eyebrows, large eyes with downswept lids, u-shaped nose, red dot for mouth with black outline; body has high round chest, narrow middle and flared bottom, red painted scalloped and dot design around chest bordered by red bands, lower center front has painted black Daruma face with wide eyes, black bushy eyebrows and facial hair on red background, painted red scalloped pattern around lower edge. On bottom is black ink kanji: "at Aomori, made by Mori Hidetaro". Famous artist--valuable piece. |
| 1996.010.116 | Doll | Kokeshi Doll Turned wood, one piece. Round head has red dot at crown, painted short black hair, quizzical eyebrows, large eyes with downswept lids, u-shaped nose, red dot for mouth with black outline; body has high round chest, narrow middle and flared bottom, red painted scalloped and dot design around chest bordered by red bands, lower center front has painted black Daruma face with wide eyes, black bushy eyebrows and facial hair on red background, painted red scalloped pattern around lower edge. On bottom is black ink kanji: "at Aomori, made by Mori Hidetaro". Famous artist--valuable piece. |
| 1996.010.117 | Doll | Kokeshi Doll Turned wood, two joined pieces, round swivel head, carved topknot decorated with shibori red and white design, painted black bangs and side pieces, painted red ties on either side of bangs, painted black roundish eyebrows, quarter moon outlined eyes, u-shaped nose, puckered lip; body has painted beige haori with black collar with floral design, kimono with red background with gold crane motif, flipped back at center, obi with black background and magic wand design at center front, white obi jime and white haori fastener, white and red collar; on bottom black ink kanji: "Happiness inside doll, Made by Yohachi" (New Year's, Winter) (see 1996.10.79 and 111) |
| 1996.010.117 | Doll | Kokeshi Doll Turned wood, two joined pieces, round swivel head, carved topknot decorated with shibori red and white design, painted black bangs and side pieces, painted red ties on either side of bangs, painted black roundish eyebrows, quarter moon outlined eyes, u-shaped nose, puckered lip; body has painted beige haori with black collar with floral design, kimono with red background with gold crane motif, flipped back at center, obi with black background and magic wand design at center front, white obi jime and white haori fastener, white and red collar; on bottom black ink kanji: "Happiness inside doll, Made by Yohachi" (New Year's, Winter) (see 1996.10.79 and 111) |
| 1996.010.118 | Doll | Kokeshi Doll Rattle Turned wood, two pieces joined, filled with something to make it rattle, large flat topped head, painted black hair with bangs in front and side pieces, painted red lines indicating a tied kerchief [like a baby sitter, to keep hair out of baby's face, hence the rattle], black eyebrows, smiling eyes, long nose, red lips outlined with black; body has red band at top at top and bottom, 5 feathery red triangles at center front; on bottom black ink kanji: "Made at Hijiori, made by Okuyama Kioshi". Famous artist from Hijiori region (hybrid of Narudo and Tokkata regions)--valuable piece. (see craftman's photograph, p. 119), characteristic large squarish head and slender cylindrical body, "well" eyes--upper and lower down-curved eyelids, upturned mouth. |
| 1996.010.118 | Doll | Kokeshi Doll Rattle Turned wood, two pieces joined, filled with something to make it rattle, large flat topped head, painted black hair with bangs in front and side pieces, painted red lines indicating a tied kerchief [like a baby sitter, to keep hair out of baby's face, hence the rattle], black eyebrows, smiling eyes, long nose, red lips outlined with black; body has red band at top at top and bottom, 5 feathery red triangles at center front; on bottom black ink kanji: "Made at Hijiori, made by Okuyama Kioshi". Famous artist from Hijiori region (hybrid of Narudo and Tokkata regions)--valuable piece. (see craftman's photograph, p. 119), characteristic large squarish head and slender cylindrical body, "well" eyes--upper and lower down-curved eyelids, upturned mouth. |
| 1996.010.119 | Doll | Kokeshi Doll Turned wood, one piece. Red dot at crown of head painted short black hair. Coarse features with black eyebrows, eyes with lids, large nose, red upturned mouth with outline. Body has high rounded chest , flares at bottom . Faded red scallop dot designs at top and top with faded red and black bands. On bottom is black ink kanji: "Mori Hidetaro" (maker) |
| 1996.010.119 | Doll | Kokeshi Doll Turned wood, one piece. Red dot at crown of head painted short black hair. Coarse features with black eyebrows, eyes with lids, large nose, red upturned mouth with outline. Body has high rounded chest , flares at bottom . Faded red scallop dot designs at top and top with faded red and black bands. On bottom is black ink kanji: "Mori Hidetaro" (maker) |
| 1996.010.120 | Doll | Kokeshi Doll Wood turn, 2 joined pieces, immobile head, black painted hair with bangs, bald pate, red painted ribbon on side hair pieces, painted black eyebrows, eyes with lids, long nose, red mouth accented with black line; painted red double bands with wavy line in center, faded narrow green band around neck, faded black bands at bottom; on bottom black ink kanji: "Iwashiro Tsuchiba, made by Sato Shoichi" (see 1996.10.120) |
| 1996.010.120 | Doll | Kokeshi Doll Wood turn, 2 joined pieces, immobile head, black painted hair with bangs, bald pate, red painted ribbon on side hair pieces, painted black eyebrows, eyes with lids, long nose, red mouth accented with black line; painted red double bands with wavy line in center, faded narrow green band around neck, faded black bands at bottom; on bottom black ink kanji: "Iwashiro Tsuchiba, made by Sato Shoichi" (see 1996.10.120) |
| 1996.010.121 | Doll | Kokeshi Doll Turned wood Three pieces glued together. Head has round top knot with pyro engraved hair. Horizontal lines for closed eyes. Painted red dot for nose. Neck is off-set and glued to body which is a separate cylinder which narrows near the bottom. Body shaped with notch in top, so it appears as if she is holding her sleeve up. A pyro engraved line extends from top down indicating edge of sleeve. On bottom is red seal and black ink kanji: "made by Kenichi" |
| 1996.010.121 | Doll | Kokeshi Doll Turned wood Three pieces glued together. Head has round top knot with pyro engraved hair. Horizontal lines for closed eyes. Painted red dot for nose. Neck is off-set and glued to body which is a separate cylinder which narrows near the bottom. Body shaped with notch in top, so it appears as if she is holding her sleeve up. A pyro engraved line extends from top down indicating edge of sleeve. On bottom is red seal and black ink kanji: "made by Kenichi" |
| 1996.010.122 | Doll | Kokeshi Doll Turned wood, 2 joined pieces, immobile head, painted black side hair pieces, red marks indicating kerchief, red circle on pate, painted black high eyebrows, half dot eyes with upper lids, u-shaped nose, red dot for mouth with 2 black lines; body is carved into hour glass shape and has 4 sets of red bands and red flame design on chest; on bottom is black ink kanji: "Made at Shiroishi, made by Kamata Koichi" |
| 1996.010.122 | Doll | Kokeshi Doll Turned wood, 2 joined pieces, immobile head, painted black side hair pieces, red marks indicating kerchief, red circle on pate, painted black high eyebrows, half dot eyes with upper lids, u-shaped nose, red dot for mouth with 2 black lines; body is carved into hour glass shape and has 4 sets of red bands and red flame design on chest; on bottom is black ink kanji: "Made at Shiroishi, made by Kamata Koichi" |
| 1996.010.123 | Doll | Kokeshi Doll Turned wood of two pieces. Flat topped wobbly head with neck which fits into hole in body. Black painted dot on crown of head, fringe on forehead and side hair pieces. Raised eyebrows, black dot for eyes white semi-circular upper lid appears to be looking up. Small curved horizontal line for nose. Red oval shaped mouth. Light red patches on cheeks. Body has high rounded chest and narrow middle. Bright red band under neck. Faded red and green bands of varying widths around middle and lower body. At lower body is a knot in the wood. On bottom is black ink kanji: "Uwate prefecture, made by Tsunekawa Shintaro" |
| 1996.010.123 | Doll | Kokeshi Doll Turned wood of two pieces. Flat topped wobbly head with neck which fits into hole in body. Black painted dot on crown of head, fringe on forehead and side hair pieces. Raised eyebrows, black dot for eyes white semi-circular upper lid appears to be looking up. Small curved horizontal line for nose. Red oval shaped mouth. Light red patches on cheeks. Body has high rounded chest and narrow middle. Bright red band under neck. Faded red and green bands of varying widths around middle and lower body. At lower body is a knot in the wood. On bottom is black ink kanji: "Uwate prefecture, made by Tsunekawa Shintaro" |
| 1996.010.124 | Doll | Kokeshi Doll Turned wood, three pieces glued together, modern style with egg-shaped head and top knot, upper body is pear-shaped and lower body is hour-glass shaped. Black painted top knot has beige rectangular ornament painted on the front, gold cord tied under top knot, tilted head has black painted hair with a widows peak, raised grey eyebrows, black horizontal eyes outlined in grey, grey dot for nose, two red dots for mouth. Center front of upper body has painted white collar with blue wellhead design, lower collar and sleeve openings are pink, sleeves are outlined in black, and have red outlined fans with white and gold dotted floral motifs, on is a grey fan with gold dots, center has a white painted leaf with gold accents, around waistline is a black painted sash with gold accents, blue and pink kimono edges extend to bottom showing a painted white and blue dots under kimono, at left are two fans: one outlined in red with white and red flowers and one outlined in grey with gold clouds, on the back are two black Japanese characters: "Hakone" (place) On bottom black ink kanji: "made by Tomogoro" |
| 1996.010.124 | Doll | Kokeshi Doll Turned wood, three pieces glued together, modern style with egg-shaped head and top knot, upper body is pear-shaped and lower body is hour-glass shaped. Black painted top knot has beige rectangular ornament painted on the front, gold cord tied under top knot, tilted head has black painted hair with a widows peak, raised grey eyebrows, black horizontal eyes outlined in grey, grey dot for nose, two red dots for mouth. Center front of upper body has painted white collar with blue wellhead design, lower collar and sleeve openings are pink, sleeves are outlined in black, and have red outlined fans with white and gold dotted floral motifs, on is a grey fan with gold dots, center has a white painted leaf with gold accents, around waistline is a black painted sash with gold accents, blue and pink kimono edges extend to bottom showing a painted white and blue dots under kimono, at left are two fans: one outlined in red with white and red flowers and one outlined in grey with gold clouds, on the back are two black Japanese characters: "Hakone" (place) On bottom black ink kanji: "made by Tomogoro" |
| 1996.010.125 | Doll | Kokeshi Doll Turned wood, two pieces glued together, immobile head. Round head has very short black painted hair with a side part (male haircut?), grey outline on hair, high eyebrows, side hair pieces, black horizontal lines for eyes outlined red and grey, grey vertical line for nose, and red looped shaped mouth. Body is shaped like a bowling pin with recessed top which is painted black, two sets of black bands around middle, top and bottom, center front has an orange rose with black details, and a design of blue and faded gold squiggly lines and four black marks. Boozu style, "kina kina" doll region, form is considered most important, often use white wood |
| 1996.010.125 | Doll | Kokeshi Doll Turned wood, two pieces glued together, immobile head. Round head has very short black painted hair with a side part (male haircut?), grey outline on hair, high eyebrows, side hair pieces, black horizontal lines for eyes outlined red and grey, grey vertical line for nose, and red looped shaped mouth. Body is shaped like a bowling pin with recessed top which is painted black, two sets of black bands around middle, top and bottom, center front has an orange rose with black details, and a design of blue and faded gold squiggly lines and four black marks. Boozu style, "kina kina" doll region, form is considered most important, often use white wood |
| 1996.010.126 | Doll | Kokeshi Doll Turned wood, two pieces, immobile head. Large head has four red concentric rings on top, red markings on forehead and side which may indicate a kerchief, small black fringe on forehead and two side pieces, curved eyebrows and upper eyelids with two black dots, u-shaped nose, red dot for mouth. Body widens around bottom and has carved ring around neck, red paint on neck ring, V-shaped mark on upper chest and three vertical line at lower front indicate outline of kimono, two sets of three red bands around middle. Head has knot hole in top back and body has split in bottom back. Bottom has black ink kanji: "made by Niiyama Hisaji" |
| 1996.010.126 | Doll | Kokeshi Doll Turned wood, two pieces, immobile head. Large head has four red concentric rings on top, red markings on forehead and side which may indicate a kerchief, small black fringe on forehead and two side pieces, curved eyebrows and upper eyelids with two black dots, u-shaped nose, red dot for mouth. Body widens around bottom and has carved ring around neck, red paint on neck ring, V-shaped mark on upper chest and three vertical line at lower front indicate outline of kimono, two sets of three red bands around middle. Head has knot hole in top back and body has split in bottom back. Bottom has black ink kanji: "made by Niiyama Hisaji" |
| 1996.010.127 | Dolls | A: Wood cylindrical Doll, cut at an angle at top, made of smoked, heavy grain wood (dark brown), painted red head scarf, black bangs, black eyebrows, almond shaped eyes, red almond shaped lips, red collar and belt, yellow jacket outline, white and red collar, white well head cross hatch design (ikat style). (Odeko - child's protruding forehead is considered cute). Special wood chosen for artistic purposes has a northern regional association unlike other kokeshi dolls. B: Larger wood cylindrical Doll, cut at an angle at top, made of smoked, heavy grain wood (dark brown), painted red headgear, black bangs, black eyebrows, almond shaped eyes, red almond shaped lips, red collar and yellow belt, green jacket outline, white and red collar, white well head cross hatch design (ikat style). Condition: Paint is peeling off of face. |
| 1996.010.127 | Dolls | A: Wood cylindrical Doll, cut at an angle at top, made of smoked, heavy grain wood (dark brown), painted red head scarf, black bangs, black eyebrows, almond shaped eyes, red almond shaped lips, red collar and belt, yellow jacket outline, white and red collar, white well head cross hatch design (ikat style). (Odeko - child's protruding forehead is considered cute). Special wood chosen for artistic purposes has a northern regional association unlike other kokeshi dolls. B: Larger wood cylindrical Doll, cut at an angle at top, made of smoked, heavy grain wood (dark brown), painted red headgear, black bangs, black eyebrows, almond shaped eyes, red almond shaped lips, red collar and yellow belt, green jacket outline, white and red collar, white well head cross hatch design (ikat style). Condition: Paint is peeling off of face. |
| 1996.010.128 | Model House | Model House on Platform Made of woven and glued bamboo strips, the house has a raised roof with eaves covering a porch, sliding doors and inside are 5 kokeshi dolls. A: House consists of a pitched roof with four sections covered with twill weave bamboo stripes, dark brown ridge pole and dark brown edging, the upper front wall under the eaves is made of an intricate open hexagonal weave in light and medium brown colored bamboo; a separate eave extends across the front, narrower on the left side, it is covered with bamboo twill weave with a diamond pattern; B & C: the left front has two sliding doors (one is doubled) with open plain weave bamboo on top and closed twill weave on bottom, outlined with dark brown strips (these doors are inserted into channels at top and bottom; below the doors is a dark brown striped verandah attached to front and below this the wall is made of vertical light and dark bamboo strips; at the right front is the entryway, dark bamboo stairs are walled in with bamboo strips and a sliding door with open plain weave bamboo on top and dark and light colored chevron shaped bamboo on bottom, outlined with dark bamboo strips; one side of the house is made of open plain weave bamboo strips in various widths and light and dark brown, the lower part is made of light and dark bamboo strips; the other side has an open plain weave top and an overhang with its own roof and vertical strips of open bamboo work; the back is made of light colored twill weave bamboo strips with a diamond pattern, lower section is made of horizontal bamboo strips. Inside the house the floors are covered with tiny bamboo woven "tatami mats" outlined with dark brown strips; on the left the doll closest to the front is carved wood with a round flat head and cylindrical body which narrows in the middle, painted features: black bangs and side hair pieces, red and brown hair ornaments, black eyebrows, eyes, nose, red mouth, body has red, black and green bands around neck and hem and a red flower with green leaves at the center front; thinner doll at left back has painted black features, red marks on top of head and body; center doll is a larger version of the front doll; doll at right back is taller with an elongated neck, body is slender at top and widens out at bottom, painted white flower, red wisteria and blue an green pine branches on center front; doll which can be seen through door at right of house is a medium sized version of the front and middle dolls. D: Rectangular platform made of wood, has 4 dark brown bamboo legs and is covered with alternating light and dark strips of bamboo outlined with dark strips, two thick dark strips of bamboo are glued to top and help hold the house in place. E: Bamboo Door, H: 2.5", W: 1.375", Framed in dark brown bamboo slats the top two thirds is a screen of loose woven bamboo in a checker pattern, the last third is a tightly woven bamboo in a diamond pattern. |
| 1996.010.128 | Model House | Model House on Platform Made of woven and glued bamboo strips, the house has a raised roof with eaves covering a porch, sliding doors and inside are 5 kokeshi dolls. A: House consists of a pitched roof with four sections covered with twill weave bamboo stripes, dark brown ridge pole and dark brown edging, the upper front wall under the eaves is made of an intricate open hexagonal weave in light and medium brown colored bamboo; a separate eave extends across the front, narrower on the left side, it is covered with bamboo twill weave with a diamond pattern; B & C: the left front has two sliding doors (one is doubled) with open plain weave bamboo on top and closed twill weave on bottom, outlined with dark brown strips (these doors are inserted into channels at top and bottom; below the doors is a dark brown striped verandah attached to front and below this the wall is made of vertical light and dark bamboo strips; at the right front is the entryway, dark bamboo stairs are walled in with bamboo strips and a sliding door with open plain weave bamboo on top and dark and light colored chevron shaped bamboo on bottom, outlined with dark bamboo strips; one side of the house is made of open plain weave bamboo strips in various widths and light and dark brown, the lower part is made of light and dark bamboo strips; the other side has an open plain weave top and an overhang with its own roof and vertical strips of open bamboo work; the back is made of light colored twill weave bamboo strips with a diamond pattern, lower section is made of horizontal bamboo strips. Inside the house the floors are covered with tiny bamboo woven "tatami mats" outlined with dark brown strips; on the left the doll closest to the front is carved wood with a round flat head and cylindrical body which narrows in the middle, painted features: black bangs and side hair pieces, red and brown hair ornaments, black eyebrows, eyes, nose, red mouth, body has red, black and green bands around neck and hem and a red flower with green leaves at the center front; thinner doll at left back has painted black features, red marks on top of head and body; center doll is a larger version of the front doll; doll at right back is taller with an elongated neck, body is slender at top and widens out at bottom, painted white flower, red wisteria and blue an green pine branches on center front; doll which can be seen through door at right of house is a medium sized version of the front and middle dolls. D: Rectangular platform made of wood, has 4 dark brown bamboo legs and is covered with alternating light and dark strips of bamboo outlined with dark strips, two thick dark strips of bamboo are glued to top and help hold the house in place. E: Bamboo Door, H: 2.5", W: 1.375", Framed in dark brown bamboo slats the top two thirds is a screen of loose woven bamboo in a checker pattern, the last third is a tightly woven bamboo in a diamond pattern. |
| 1996.010.129 | Doll Set | Kokeshi Doll Set Turned wood A: Male wood turned with wobbly head. Round head has carved cap shape on top. Cap is painted black and has a central knob with black tip, black forelock and two side hair pieces. Black horizontal ovals for eyes, grey markings on forehead, large grey eyebrows, nose is a backward J, lips are two black dots joined with a vertical line. Head has narrow neck which fits into top of body. Barrel shaped body has black and grey well head ikat designs and outline of kimono. On bottom is black ink kanji: "at Matsushima, made by Bunkichi" B: Female wood turned with carved top knot in head and a hole on the side for ornament (missing). Black painted short hair, black and grey rectangular designs on front and back may be scarf. Two grey hairpieces on each side with two blacks marks above. Black horizontal oval eyes, grey eyebrows, backward J nose, two black dots joined with a vertical line, Head has narrow neck which fits into top of body. Barrel shaped body has black and grey well head ikat designs and outline of kimono. On bottom is black ink kanji: "at Matsushima, made by Bunkichi" C & D: Wood Box. L: 5.75", W: 5.25", H: 3.25". Box bottom has written on it "Matsushima Kokeshi Girls in 1952 storytelling group" . On top of lid is black ink kanji: "Inabaya store, made by Bunkichi of Matsushima" |
| 1996.010.129 | Doll Set | Kokeshi Doll Set Turned wood A: Male wood turned with wobbly head. Round head has carved cap shape on top. Cap is painted black and has a central knob with black tip, black forelock and two side hair pieces. Black horizontal ovals for eyes, grey markings on forehead, large grey eyebrows, nose is a backward J, lips are two black dots joined with a vertical line. Head has narrow neck which fits into top of body. Barrel shaped body has black and grey well head ikat designs and outline of kimono. On bottom is black ink kanji: "at Matsushima, made by Bunkichi" B: Female wood turned with carved top knot in head and a hole on the side for ornament (missing). Black painted short hair, black and grey rectangular designs on front and back may be scarf. Two grey hairpieces on each side with two blacks marks above. Black horizontal oval eyes, grey eyebrows, backward J nose, two black dots joined with a vertical line, Head has narrow neck which fits into top of body. Barrel shaped body has black and grey well head ikat designs and outline of kimono. On bottom is black ink kanji: "at Matsushima, made by Bunkichi" C & D: Wood Box. L: 5.75", W: 5.25", H: 3.25". Box bottom has written on it "Matsushima Kokeshi Girls in 1952 storytelling group" . On top of lid is black ink kanji: "Inabaya store, made by Bunkichi of Matsushima" |
| 1996.010.130 | Doll Couple | Kokeshi Doll Couple Turned wood with wobbly pointed heads, bell shaped bodies with pedestal at bottom. Back of dolls are painted beige with black horizontal lines and vertical marks representing straw snow capes with hoods. White paint blotches representing snow flakes on heads and backs. Both dolls have black painted bangs, black horizontal eyes, grey eyebrows, white dots for noses and red dots for mouths. Neck pegs fit into holes in top of bodies. Painted blue cords fasten the capes. A; Female doll has red kimono with pink plum blossoms and green leaves, black obi with yellow design. B: Male doll has black kimono with white cross hatch design and brown obi with white dots. On back of both dolls black ink kanji: "at Shiga plateau, Maruike (pond)" |
| 1996.010.130 | Doll Couple | Kokeshi Doll Couple Turned wood with wobbly pointed heads, bell shaped bodies with pedestal at bottom. Back of dolls are painted beige with black horizontal lines and vertical marks representing straw snow capes with hoods. White paint blotches representing snow flakes on heads and backs. Both dolls have black painted bangs, black horizontal eyes, grey eyebrows, white dots for noses and red dots for mouths. Neck pegs fit into holes in top of bodies. Painted blue cords fasten the capes. A; Female doll has red kimono with pink plum blossoms and green leaves, black obi with yellow design. B: Male doll has black kimono with white cross hatch design and brown obi with white dots. On back of both dolls black ink kanji: "at Shiga plateau, Maruike (pond)" |
| 1996.010.131 | Doll Pair | Pair of Kokeshi Dolls Wood turned with two pieces with pointed wobbly heads. Neck pegs fit into top of bodies, both have rounded bodies with recessed pedestals. Both dolls have black painted hairlines, eyebrows, eyes with eyelashes and dots for nose and mouth. They wear painted hats tied with painted white cord. Coats have three painted buttons down the front. A: Green hat with two white flowers, yellow coat with orange collar, black buttons, and painted design of a brown animal and dots leading to the animal. Pedestal has light brown and dark brown crosses. B: Red hat with pink flowers on each side, orange coat with white collar and buttons. Painted design on front are two red flowers with stem and leaf. Well head pattern in pink and red on pedestal. |
| 1996.010.131 | Doll Pair | Pair of Kokeshi Dolls Wood turned with two pieces with pointed wobbly heads. Neck pegs fit into top of bodies, both have rounded bodies with recessed pedestals. Both dolls have black painted hairlines, eyebrows, eyes with eyelashes and dots for nose and mouth. They wear painted hats tied with painted white cord. Coats have three painted buttons down the front. A: Green hat with two white flowers, yellow coat with orange collar, black buttons, and painted design of a brown animal and dots leading to the animal. Pedestal has light brown and dark brown crosses. B: Red hat with pink flowers on each side, orange coat with white collar and buttons. Painted design on front are two red flowers with stem and leaf. Well head pattern in pink and red on pedestal. |
| 1996.010.132 | Doll with letter | Kokeshi Doll Letter Holder Turned wood doll made of two pieces with round head, peg neck fits into hole on top of doll body. Body is hollow wood tube into which rolled letter paper is inserted and the pedestal cap has carved threads to screw into bottom of the body. A: Doll head has red painted petal shapes at back and at each side of face indicating tied kerchief. Painted black bangs and side hair pieces, eyebrows, half-moon eyes, u-shaped nose and two red dots for lips. The cylindrical varnished body has a painted design of two pink flowers and on red flower with grey stems and green leaves. On the back is black ink kanji: B: Pedestal cap of turned wood that has a threaded knob which screws into the bottom of the body, exterior is varnished. C: Letter - rolled piece of paper: L: 5", W: 2.378". Printed with red Hiragana at top, red border and lines, hand written English message inserted into body of doll reads "Dear Ms. Sealoff, Thank you for the little cup. I like it very much. Niki." |
| 1996.010.132 | Doll with letter | Kokeshi Doll Letter Holder Turned wood doll made of two pieces with round head, peg neck fits into hole on top of doll body. Body is hollow wood tube into which rolled letter paper is inserted and the pedestal cap has carved threads to screw into bottom of the body. A: Doll head has red painted petal shapes at back and at each side of face indicating tied kerchief. Painted black bangs and side hair pieces, eyebrows, half-moon eyes, u-shaped nose and two red dots for lips. The cylindrical varnished body has a painted design of two pink flowers and on red flower with grey stems and green leaves. On the back is black ink kanji: B: Pedestal cap of turned wood that has a threaded knob which screws into the bottom of the body, exterior is varnished. C: Letter - rolled piece of paper: L: 5", W: 2.378". Printed with red Hiragana at top, red border and lines, hand written English message inserted into body of doll reads "Dear Ms. Sealoff, Thank you for the little cup. I like it very much. Niki." |
| 1996.010.133 | Doll Ornament | Pair of Bone Kokeshi Ornaments Half inch dolls have round head on top of round bodies. Black painted hair eyebrows and eyes, red dot for mouth and black cross hatching on front of bodies. Braided silk cord runs through vertical hole in dolls ending in a tassel. A: Painted green jacket with white dots and red fastener. Orange cord, orange, pink and white tassel. B: Red jacket with white dots and green fastener. Green cord with green, pink and yellow tassel. |
| 1996.010.133 | Doll Ornament | Pair of Bone Kokeshi Ornaments Half inch dolls have round head on top of round bodies. Black painted hair eyebrows and eyes, red dot for mouth and black cross hatching on front of bodies. Braided silk cord runs through vertical hole in dolls ending in a tassel. A: Painted green jacket with white dots and red fastener. Orange cord, orange, pink and white tassel. B: Red jacket with white dots and green fastener. Green cord with green, pink and yellow tassel. |
| 1996.010.134 | Doll Ornament | Wood Ornament Bell with three kokeshi figures on platform A; Pedestal, wood rectangle painted on top and sides with black lacquer. B: Paper disk with miniature kokeshi doll glued to it. Diam: 2.375". Gold foil paper on bottom of disk. Wood turned male doll has two pieces, round swivel head, black painted hair on top, two strands on sides with blue dot. Large black eyebrows, triangular eyes. Black dot for nose red dot for mouth. Blue painted jacket, with black neck outline and dark red obi with white dots. Black well head design on pants. C: Wood kokeshi doll in one piece, with top knot. Mother figure black painted hair with pink and red hair ornaments. Black eyebrows and eyes, red mouth. Red painted haori with scalloped and dot design. Striped red kimono with green obi with yellow dots. D: Wood turned female doll has two pieces, round swivel head, black painted hair with top knot and red scarf on top, two strands on sides with red dot. Large black eyebrows, triangular eyes. Black dot for nose red dot for mouth. Red painted jacket, with black neck outline and pink obi with white dots. Turquoise apron with red dots design on pants. E: Carved wood bell with one side cut out. Knob on top. Lower edge English "No More Hiroshimas". Above cut out portion is black ink kanji: When put together the ornament bell is on top of the disk covering the three ornament figures which then sits on the platform. All wood is varnished. |
| 1996.010.134 | Doll Ornament | Wood Ornament Bell with three kokeshi figures on platform A; Pedestal, wood rectangle painted on top and sides with black lacquer. B: Paper disk with miniature kokeshi doll glued to it. Diam: 2.375". Gold foil paper on bottom of disk. Wood turned male doll has two pieces, round swivel head, black painted hair on top, two strands on sides with blue dot. Large black eyebrows, triangular eyes. Black dot for nose red dot for mouth. Blue painted jacket, with black neck outline and dark red obi with white dots. Black well head design on pants. C: Wood kokeshi doll in one piece, with top knot. Mother figure black painted hair with pink and red hair ornaments. Black eyebrows and eyes, red mouth. Red painted haori with scalloped and dot design. Striped red kimono with green obi with yellow dots. D: Wood turned female doll has two pieces, round swivel head, black painted hair with top knot and red scarf on top, two strands on sides with red dot. Large black eyebrows, triangular eyes. Black dot for nose red dot for mouth. Red painted jacket, with black neck outline and pink obi with white dots. Turquoise apron with red dots design on pants. E: Carved wood bell with one side cut out. Knob on top. Lower edge English "No More Hiroshimas". Above cut out portion is black ink kanji: When put together the ornament bell is on top of the disk covering the three ornament figures which then sits on the platform. All wood is varnished. |
| 1996.010.135 | Doll with letter | Kokeshi Doll Letter Holder Turned wood doll made of two pieces with round head, peg neck fits into hole on top of doll body. Body is hollow wood tube into which rolled letter paper is inserted and the pedestal cap has carved threads to screw into bottom of the body. A: Doll head has red painted petal shapes at back and at each side of face indicating tied kerchief. Painted black bangs and side hair pieces, eyebrows, round eyes, u-shaped nose and two red dots for lips. The cylindrical varnished body has a painted design of 7 red flowers with green leaves, an orange kimono color and blue cross hatched and dotted obi. B: Pedestal cap of turned wood that has a threaded knob which screws into the bottom of the body, exterior is varnished. C: Letter - rolled piece of paper: L:7", W: 2.25". Hand written English message inserted into body of doll reads "6 Aug. Dear Sealoff-sensei, Now I got back home from hospital. Injection of streptomycin will finish at next Tuesday and about next Friday I will know the results of all examination. So I can't see your many treasures, I'm very sorry! But I shall visit you on the next weekend with good report "Complete recovery", I hope so. If you can find time to spare, please come down to here. We will show you Hamana-ko lake. Yesterday I made "something" or present for you. This morning I had a letter from Watanabe-san. (over) My mother & sister join me in kind regards. Yours truly, Toshio Okabe" D: Mailing tag, 4.25" x 1.75" made of heavy paper with brown reinforced hole, wired to the neck of the doll; on one side is a green stamp showing a snowy mountain and the number 10, with a round post mark, reads "Miss Georgia L. Sealoff, c/o Toyo Kikaikaikan Hotel, 15, Shiba Mita Shikoku, Minato-ku, Tokyo" and Japanese kanji below; on the other side "Toshio Okabe, 4445 Higashi iba-cho, Hamamatsu, Shizuoka Pref., Please open a foot-cap, you shall find a letter. My dear kokeshi will send a letter you holding her bosom." |
| 1996.010.135 | Doll with letter | Kokeshi Doll Letter Holder Turned wood doll made of two pieces with round head, peg neck fits into hole on top of doll body. Body is hollow wood tube into which rolled letter paper is inserted and the pedestal cap has carved threads to screw into bottom of the body. A: Doll head has red painted petal shapes at back and at each side of face indicating tied kerchief. Painted black bangs and side hair pieces, eyebrows, round eyes, u-shaped nose and two red dots for lips. The cylindrical varnished body has a painted design of 7 red flowers with green leaves, an orange kimono color and blue cross hatched and dotted obi. B: Pedestal cap of turned wood that has a threaded knob which screws into the bottom of the body, exterior is varnished. C: Letter - rolled piece of paper: L:7", W: 2.25". Hand written English message inserted into body of doll reads "6 Aug. Dear Sealoff-sensei, Now I got back home from hospital. Injection of streptomycin will finish at next Tuesday and about next Friday I will know the results of all examination. So I can't see your many treasures, I'm very sorry! But I shall visit you on the next weekend with good report "Complete recovery", I hope so. If you can find time to spare, please come down to here. We will show you Hamana-ko lake. Yesterday I made "something" or present for you. This morning I had a letter from Watanabe-san. (over) My mother & sister join me in kind regards. Yours truly, Toshio Okabe" D: Mailing tag, 4.25" x 1.75" made of heavy paper with brown reinforced hole, wired to the neck of the doll; on one side is a green stamp showing a snowy mountain and the number 10, with a round post mark, reads "Miss Georgia L. Sealoff, c/o Toyo Kikaikaikan Hotel, 15, Shiba Mita Shikoku, Minato-ku, Tokyo" and Japanese kanji below; on the other side "Toshio Okabe, 4445 Higashi iba-cho, Hamamatsu, Shizuoka Pref., Please open a foot-cap, you shall find a letter. My dear kokeshi will send a letter you holding her bosom." |
| 1996.010.136 | Model | Wood model of bridge with kokeshi dolls in lidded cardboard box On front of model and on box "Peace Bridge of Hiroshima", "Hiroshima Kokeshi doll made by junidan-ya (12 steps)" A: Small kokeshi dolls with swivel heads (H: 7/8"), painted black hair, eyes, nose, red hair decoration, blue and green circular design on back of haori jacket with black collar, red obi with gray obi jime cord, white floral design on blue kimono, other figure wears painted red floral obi, haori with black collar, purple obi, off-white obi jime cord, pink flowers on teal blue kimono; glued to top of bridge made of curved varnished bamboo section with a carved wood stylized lotus? stem and head on one side. B: Cardboard box bottom covered with mauve paper in cracked tile design with red and green stamps (L: 3.5", W: 2.5", H: 2") C: Cardboard box top covered with mauve paper in cracked tile design with red and green stamps |
| 1996.010.136 | Model | Wood model of bridge with kokeshi dolls in lidded cardboard box On front of model and on box "Peace Bridge of Hiroshima", "Hiroshima Kokeshi doll made by junidan-ya (12 steps)" A: Small kokeshi dolls with swivel heads (H: 7/8"), painted black hair, eyes, nose, red hair decoration, blue and green circular design on back of haori jacket with black collar, red obi with gray obi jime cord, white floral design on blue kimono, other figure wears painted red floral obi, haori with black collar, purple obi, off-white obi jime cord, pink flowers on teal blue kimono; glued to top of bridge made of curved varnished bamboo section with a carved wood stylized lotus? stem and head on one side. B: Cardboard box bottom covered with mauve paper in cracked tile design with red and green stamps (L: 3.5", W: 2.5", H: 2") C: Cardboard box top covered with mauve paper in cracked tile design with red and green stamps |
| 1996.010.137 | Cup | Ceramic handleless cup White ceramic with clear glaze, red ring painted around ring shaped pedestal on bottom, painted on sides are three kokeshi dolls: first one at a 45 degree angle with round head, red outline, black eyebrows, eyes, nose and hair pieces, red dot mouth, 2 black dots and 1 red dot in middle on top of head (topknot), half sphere neck, hourglass shaped body tapers at bottom end, chevron designs of green, 2 red, single gold stripe, 2 red, 2 green, 2 red chevron bands around body; 2nd kokeshi doll is the largest, ovoid shape head, black painted hair outlined in red with topknot tied with red and white bow, red ball hair ornament extending from left side, black eyebrows, eyes, nose, red mouth, missile shaped body with pink kimono with yellow accents, green and white shibori obi, red panel hanging below with 2 gold arrow shaped designs below; 3rd kokeshi doll is smallest, round head outlined in red, painted black hat, eyes, nose, red mouth, red dots design on temples, oval shaped body, red kimono with white collar, black and gold kimono accents. Condition: two cracks along sides between first two figures |
| 1996.010.137 | Cup | Ceramic handleless cup White ceramic with clear glaze, red ring painted around ring shaped pedestal on bottom, painted on sides are three kokeshi dolls: first one at a 45 degree angle with round head, red outline, black eyebrows, eyes, nose and hair pieces, red dot mouth, 2 black dots and 1 red dot in middle on top of head (topknot), half sphere neck, hourglass shaped body tapers at bottom end, chevron designs of green, 2 red, single gold stripe, 2 red, 2 green, 2 red chevron bands around body; 2nd kokeshi doll is the largest, ovoid shape head, black painted hair outlined in red with topknot tied with red and white bow, red ball hair ornament extending from left side, black eyebrows, eyes, nose, red mouth, missile shaped body with pink kimono with yellow accents, green and white shibori obi, red panel hanging below with 2 gold arrow shaped designs below; 3rd kokeshi doll is smallest, round head outlined in red, painted black hat, eyes, nose, red mouth, red dots design on temples, oval shaped body, red kimono with white collar, black and gold kimono accents. Condition: two cracks along sides between first two figures |
| 1996.010.138 | Figure Set | Modern version of kokeshi style figures representing Longevity Couple A: Figures of old man and woman with swivel egg shaped head on stand, painted gray and white hair, white eyebrows, smiling eyes and mouth, woman: gold and royal blue headband, pink outer garment with dark plum blossom design, red belt tied in bow at front, gray and black wave design underrobe showing collar, collar layers of gold, black, brown, and white; man: white hair bun at back, painted white beard, painted outer garment with tan color sleeves and brown horizontal stripe vest with gold trim, white belt tied in bow at front, below waist is blue, collar layers of gold, white, dark gold, black, and white; couple glued to slice of natural wood with bark outside B: Carved wood broom, painted tip of black and green, held by woman (L: 3.75", W: .375") C: Carved wood curved rake handle, top of rake is broken off (L: 2.75"), held by man |
| 1996.010.138 | Figure Set | Modern version of kokeshi style figures representing Longevity Couple A: Figures of old man and woman with swivel egg shaped head on stand, painted gray and white hair, white eyebrows, smiling eyes and mouth, woman: gold and royal blue headband, pink outer garment with dark plum blossom design, red belt tied in bow at front, gray and black wave design underrobe showing collar, collar layers of gold, black, brown, and white; man: white hair bun at back, painted white beard, painted outer garment with tan color sleeves and brown horizontal stripe vest with gold trim, white belt tied in bow at front, below waist is blue, collar layers of gold, white, dark gold, black, and white; couple glued to slice of natural wood with bark outside B: Carved wood broom, painted tip of black and green, held by woman (L: 3.75", W: .375") C: Carved wood curved rake handle, top of rake is broken off (L: 2.75"), held by man |
| 1996.010.139 | Plaque | Wooden plaque with painted kokeshi doll Painted figure with black crown and side hair pieces, eyebrows, open eyes, nose, red closed mouth, scarf markings on head with green decoration, body is painted in horizontal stripes in orangey red and yellow with narrow bands of red and blue, blue background with white overall pattern of flowers. Hole in top for hanging. Back of plaque has #246. |
| 1996.010.139 | Plaque | Wooden plaque with painted kokeshi doll Painted figure with black crown and side hair pieces, eyebrows, open eyes, nose, red closed mouth, scarf markings on head with green decoration, body is painted in horizontal stripes in orangey red and yellow with narrow bands of red and blue, blue background with white overall pattern of flowers. Hole in top for hanging. Back of plaque has #246. |
| 1996.010.140 | Advertising plaque | Wooden mailing advertisement plaque in outline shape of kokeshi doll On one side is painted features: black hair, eyebrow and nose, faded red mouth and kimono decoration On other side is an address "Matsui Michiyo, 2-4 Shikokucho, Mita Shiba ward, Tokyo, July 1, 1932" and advertisement of "Suzuki Yoko and Suzuki Mototaro, Buto Kikuni" String through hole in top of head. |
| 1996.010.140 | Advertising plaque | Wooden mailing advertisement plaque in outline shape of kokeshi doll On one side is painted features: black hair, eyebrow and nose, faded red mouth and kimono decoration On other side is an address "Matsui Michiyo, 2-4 Shikokucho, Mita Shiba ward, Tokyo, July 1, 1932" and advertisement of "Suzuki Yoko and Suzuki Mototaro, Buto Kikuni" String through hole in top of head. |
| 1996.010.141 | Figure | Stone Figure in lidded wood box A: Figure made of two stones glued together. upper black stone has painted features of the figure, a blue hood, white round face with black eyes and nose, red mouth. Robe has painted red neck and sleeve openings and red and yellow sash. White painted hands and red and white painted feet. Stone appears to have been carved to indicate shape of kimono. Bottom stone, white quartz?, is stand. To bottom of stone is white strip of paper with black ink kanji: "Meisaku odori" (Meisaku dance). B: Wood box bottom, H: 1.75", W: 2", D: 2.5". Box has sides and bottom are glued together. Front end shorter to accommodate lid. Inside of sides has grooves to accommodate lid. C: Wood box lid, Made of flat rectangle with grooves on sides and end piece which acts as stopper. Kanji is pyro engraved on top: "Shumi-no reki ningyo" (rock doll craft). Lid slides into front end of box. |
| 1996.010.141 | Figure | Stone Figure in lidded wood box A: Figure made of two stones glued together. upper black stone has painted features of the figure, a blue hood, white round face with black eyes and nose, red mouth. Robe has painted red neck and sleeve openings and red and yellow sash. White painted hands and red and white painted feet. Stone appears to have been carved to indicate shape of kimono. Bottom stone, white quartz?, is stand. To bottom of stone is white strip of paper with black ink kanji: "Meisaku odori" (Meisaku dance). B: Wood box bottom, H: 1.75", W: 2", D: 2.5". Box has sides and bottom are glued together. Front end shorter to accommodate lid. Inside of sides has grooves to accommodate lid. C: Wood box lid, Made of flat rectangle with grooves on sides and end piece which acts as stopper. Kanji is pyro engraved on top: "Shumi-no reki ningyo" (rock doll craft). Lid slides into front end of box. |
| 1996.010.142 | Pair of Stone Figures | Pair of Stone Figures (A&B, C&D) A: Female: Small smooth oval shaped grey stone with painted black hair, red hair bow with red shibori dot. Pink daisy flowers on each side of bow with yellow centers. Painted black eyebrows, almond shaped eyes, white nose, red mouth. B: Body: Larger smooth oval shaped grey stone with painted Kimono. Outer red kimono has painted white, pink, salmon, colored daisy flowers with yellow centers on both side fronts and back. Green leaves and blue water design intertwined with flowers. Under kimono which shows at front and side is pink. Red and white painted collar. Painted black obi with yellow and orange wisteria like design. White red and blue obi jime. Fuschia color obi age with shibori design . On bottom is stamped red seal: "Maruishi" or "Enseki" and black ink kanji: "Maruishi" or "Enseki" (maker's name meaning "round rock"). Blue marks on bottom of kimono. C: Male head, small smooth oval shaped grey stone. On top of head painted black oval shape indicating hair with blue dot in center. Black side hair pieces with three blue petal like marks on either side of head. Black eyebrows and dots for eyes, White nose and red mouth. D: Body: Larger smooth oval grey stone. Painted dark blue outer haori has white lines indicating collar and white tie with yellow fastenings. Blue under kimono has white collar, red obi, pink petal design. On bottom is red stamped seal and black ink kanji. (writing is the same as on B) |
| 1996.010.142 | Pair of Stone Figures | Pair of Stone Figures (A&B, C&D) A: Female: Small smooth oval shaped grey stone with painted black hair, red hair bow with red shibori dot. Pink daisy flowers on each side of bow with yellow centers. Painted black eyebrows, almond shaped eyes, white nose, red mouth. B: Body: Larger smooth oval shaped grey stone with painted Kimono. Outer red kimono has painted white, pink, salmon, colored daisy flowers with yellow centers on both side fronts and back. Green leaves and blue water design intertwined with flowers. Under kimono which shows at front and side is pink. Red and white painted collar. Painted black obi with yellow and orange wisteria like design. White red and blue obi jime. Fuschia color obi age with shibori design . On bottom is stamped red seal: "Maruishi" or "Enseki" and black ink kanji: "Maruishi" or "Enseki" (maker's name meaning "round rock"). Blue marks on bottom of kimono. C: Male head, small smooth oval shaped grey stone. On top of head painted black oval shape indicating hair with blue dot in center. Black side hair pieces with three blue petal like marks on either side of head. Black eyebrows and dots for eyes, White nose and red mouth. D: Body: Larger smooth oval grey stone. Painted dark blue outer haori has white lines indicating collar and white tie with yellow fastenings. Blue under kimono has white collar, red obi, pink petal design. On bottom is red stamped seal and black ink kanji. (writing is the same as on B) |
| 1996.010.143 | Miniature Doll | Miniature Gosho Doll with Screen A: Standing doll arms extended and right foot up as if dancing. Has round head covered with gofun. painted hat is part of head. Hat has eboshi style black with gold stripes and orange dots on either side. Carved ears, nose and chin. Painted eyes, eyebrows and red mouth. The body is made with Kimekomi technique. It is molded from wood paste with grooves and fabric is glued over the body in to the groves. The outer kimono is blue crepe with painted crane and pine designs. in red, blue, white , green and orange. The obi is red and gold brocade. Red crepe sleeve and hem openings. In right hand doll holds finial? Left hand is missing ,peg protrudes from sleeve opening. Yellow painted feet, peg on left foot has broken off the base. B: Wood base, rectangular. Front edge has carved depression. Broken peg is inserted in middle of the base |
| 1996.010.143 | Miniature Doll | Miniature Gosho Doll with Screen A: Standing doll arms extended and right foot up as if dancing. Has round head covered with gofun. painted hat is part of head. Hat has eboshi style black with gold stripes and orange dots on either side. Carved ears, nose and chin. Painted eyes, eyebrows and red mouth. The body is made with Kimekomi technique. It is molded from wood paste with grooves and fabric is glued over the body in to the groves. The outer kimono is blue crepe with painted crane and pine designs. in red, blue, white , green and orange. The obi is red and gold brocade. Red crepe sleeve and hem openings. In right hand doll holds finial? Left hand is missing ,peg protrudes from sleeve opening. Yellow painted feet, peg on left foot has broken off the base. B: Wood base, rectangular. Front edge has carved depression. Broken peg is inserted in middle of the base |
| 1996.010.144 | Figure Set | Set of Figures representing Japanese folk tales A-H A: Rectangular wood base with 6 painted wood figures, a post, and 2 bases attached (additional 5 figures and umbrella have come unglued (B-G). Clockwise from back left: "Ai ai gasa" written in front of figures, on black painted base representing bridge with carved post, natural wood and black paint, stands two figures under a wood umbrella (C) painted black and white in a "snake-eye" design, left figure (B) unglued, is an kokeshi style doll with swivel head attached so it appears she has dowager's hump on back, painted sky blue scarf wrapped around head, painted black eyebrows, almond shaped eyes, V nose, red dots for mouth, cylinder wood body has painted black haori jacket with white cords to hold back sleeves, blue underrobe shows at collar and hem, kimono in natural wood color with black kasuri pattern, brownish plum obi (azuki iro color); figure on right is a kokeshi style wood doll with stationary head, painted black hair with bun (momo ari) and red shibori hair scarf, painted black arched eyebrows, eyes, V shaped nose, red dot mouth, painted red haori with white dot motif in front and sleeve with lavender colored ties, painted salmon colored and blue floral design on natural wood background, green underrobe shows at collar and hem, red and black obi with red asterisk design. Figures represent close relationship of two people under one umbrella. "Ninomiya Kinjiro" printed in front of wood kokeshi style doll (D), (H: 3.5"), swivel head, standing figure, painted black boy's samurai hairstyle, topknot with shaved pate in gray blue, painted black eyebrows, round eyes, u-shaped nose, red dot mouth; painted black workman's bib, upper robe is black kasuri design on natural wood color background, red collar, black , green and red vertical striped mompei pants on natural wood, painted black kasuri knee patches, painted red string around waist, log attached to back. This figure is a symbol of hard working, self educated young man. "Momotaro", grown boy wood kokeshi style doll (E) with pear shaped body and swivel head, painted black male hairstyle with pony tail on top with white binding cloth and shaved pate in gray blue and side hair pieces with widow's peak, painted black eyebrows, half moon eyes, molded white nose, red dot mouth, painted red vest with a pink peach in back and arch decorations on side, blue trimmed chest plate, pink peach on front, below waist are painted strips of armor with blue outline and striped salmon on gold background, pants showing at bottom have pine branch motif with blue kasuri; a painted black wood sword handle, gold guard protrudes from left waist. "Momotaro" is the story of the peach boy who is found by an old couple in the river, they picked up a peach from the river, take it home and he emerges from the peach pit, grows up and conquers the island ogre with the help of his loyal monkey and dog followers. He represents bravery and fighting for good (see F) Monkey figure from Momotaro story (F) (H: 1.5"), is carved wood with swivel head, painted white headband with red circle design, painted brown hair which formed a keyhole shape, painted black forehead wrinkles, round eyes, dash nose, red smiling mouth, painted red haori jacket with yellow and gold shuttlecock design, outlined in white, green chest plate, painted metal studs, sky blue waist band, three navy blue and yellow designed lower armor panels, blue striped mompei pants. Figure is a loyal follower of the Peach Boy. Dog figure attached to main base (H: 1.5"), is carved wood with swivel head which is egg shaped (looks like a mouse), red circle on blue headband, painted white face, black outline of ears and nostrils, eye dots, whiskers, red line for mouth, painted blue vest with design including a red cross on both sides, brown and white chest plate with 3 red dots in center, gold and blue striped lower armor panels, red striped mompei pants. Figure is a loyal follower of the Peach Boy. Central figure of Momotaro as a baby in a peach pit attached to main base (1.75" incl. base), base is a slice of natural wood with bark, walnut shell split open represents the peach, inside is the wood kokeshi style doll, bald stationery head with black hair pieces tied with red, black features, red baby bib outlined in black tied around waist has white painted kanji "momo (peach)"; on base in white "Nasu" (name of place where set was made) "Shimizu Omasa" (Omasa from Shimizu policeman) wood kokeshi figure unattached (G) with swivel head, painted black hair with shaved crown and center hair (commoner), painted black uneven eyebrows, half moon eyes, two dashes for nose and mouth, painted blue vest with off white kasuri design, painted green striped kimono with black collar, black and white diagonally designed obi, black kanji on side says "Shimizu Omasa". "Shimizu Jiro-cho" (Head detective--neighbourhood policeman) wood kokeshi figure glued to main base with swivel head, painted black hair with shaved crown and center hair, black eyebrows, half moon eyes, two dashes for nose and red dot mouth, painted black vest with off white kasuri design, blue striped kimono with black outlined collar, green and white diagonally designed obi outlined in black, stands on circular platform. At right back of base is a miniature kokeshi female doll (1.25") with stationary head, painted black hair, red hair decoration, black eyebrows, eyes, nose, red dot mouth, painted red horizontal and green diagonal lines on front kimono. At right front of base is a miniature kokeshi female doll (1 cm) with stationery head, painted black hair, red hair bow, black eyebrows, half moon eyes, nose, red dot mouth, painted red sunburst design on kimono. |
| 1996.010.144 | Figure Set | Set of Figures representing Japanese folk tales A-H A: Rectangular wood base with 6 painted wood figures, a post, and 2 bases attached (additional 5 figures and umbrella have come unglued (B-G). Clockwise from back left: "Ai ai gasa" written in front of figures, on black painted base representing bridge with carved post, natural wood and black paint, stands two figures under a wood umbrella (C) painted black and white in a "snake-eye" design, left figure (B) unglued, is an kokeshi style doll with swivel head attached so it appears she has dowager's hump on back, painted sky blue scarf wrapped around head, painted black eyebrows, almond shaped eyes, V nose, red dots for mouth, cylinder wood body has painted black haori jacket with white cords to hold back sleeves, blue underrobe shows at collar and hem, kimono in natural wood color with black kasuri pattern, brownish plum obi (azuki iro color); figure on right is a kokeshi style wood doll with stationary head, painted black hair with bun (momo ari) and red shibori hair scarf, painted black arched eyebrows, eyes, V shaped nose, red dot mouth, painted red haori with white dot motif in front and sleeve with lavender colored ties, painted salmon colored and blue floral design on natural wood background, green underrobe shows at collar and hem, red and black obi with red asterisk design. Figures represent close relationship of two people under one umbrella. "Ninomiya Kinjiro" printed in front of wood kokeshi style doll (D), (H: 3.5"), swivel head, standing figure, painted black boy's samurai hairstyle, topknot with shaved pate in gray blue, painted black eyebrows, round eyes, u-shaped nose, red dot mouth; painted black workman's bib, upper robe is black kasuri design on natural wood color background, red collar, black , green and red vertical striped mompei pants on natural wood, painted black kasuri knee patches, painted red string around waist, log attached to back. This figure is a symbol of hard working, self educated young man. "Momotaro", grown boy wood kokeshi style doll (E) with pear shaped body and swivel head, painted black male hairstyle with pony tail on top with white binding cloth and shaved pate in gray blue and side hair pieces with widow's peak, painted black eyebrows, half moon eyes, molded white nose, red dot mouth, painted red vest with a pink peach in back and arch decorations on side, blue trimmed chest plate, pink peach on front, below waist are painted strips of armor with blue outline and striped salmon on gold background, pants showing at bottom have pine branch motif with blue kasuri; a painted black wood sword handle, gold guard protrudes from left waist. "Momotaro" is the story of the peach boy who is found by an old couple in the river, they picked up a peach from the river, take it home and he emerges from the peach pit, grows up and conquers the island ogre with the help of his loyal monkey and dog followers. He represents bravery and fighting for good (see F) Monkey figure from Momotaro story (F) (H: 1.5"), is carved wood with swivel head, painted white headband with red circle design, painted brown hair which formed a keyhole shape, painted black forehead wrinkles, round eyes, dash nose, red smiling mouth, painted red haori jacket with yellow and gold shuttlecock design, outlined in white, green chest plate, painted metal studs, sky blue waist band, three navy blue and yellow designed lower armor panels, blue striped mompei pants. Figure is a loyal follower of the Peach Boy. Dog figure attached to main base (H: 1.5"), is carved wood with swivel head which is egg shaped (looks like a mouse), red circle on blue headband, painted white face, black outline of ears and nostrils, eye dots, whiskers, red line for mouth, painted blue vest with design including a red cross on both sides, brown and white chest plate with 3 red dots in center, gold and blue striped lower armor panels, red striped mompei pants. Figure is a loyal follower of the Peach Boy. Central figure of Momotaro as a baby in a peach pit attached to main base (1.75" incl. base), base is a slice of natural wood with bark, walnut shell split open represents the peach, inside is the wood kokeshi style doll, bald stationery head with black hair pieces tied with red, black features, red baby bib outlined in black tied around waist has white painted kanji "momo (peach)"; on base in white "Nasu" (name of place where set was made) "Shimizu Omasa" (Omasa from Shimizu policeman) wood kokeshi figure unattached (G) with swivel head, painted black hair with shaved crown and center hair (commoner), painted black uneven eyebrows, half moon eyes, two dashes for nose and mouth, painted blue vest with off white kasuri design, painted green striped kimono with black collar, black and white diagonally designed obi, black kanji on side says "Shimizu Omasa". "Shimizu Jiro-cho" (Head detective--neighbourhood policeman) wood kokeshi figure glued to main base with swivel head, painted black hair with shaved crown and center hair, black eyebrows, half moon eyes, two dashes for nose and red dot mouth, painted black vest with off white kasuri design, blue striped kimono with black outlined collar, green and white diagonally designed obi outlined in black, stands on circular platform. At right back of base is a miniature kokeshi female doll (1.25") with stationary head, painted black hair, red hair decoration, black eyebrows, eyes, nose, red dot mouth, painted red horizontal and green diagonal lines on front kimono. At right front of base is a miniature kokeshi female doll (1 cm) with stationery head, painted black hair, red hair bow, black eyebrows, half moon eyes, nose, red dot mouth, painted red sunburst design on kimono. |
| 1996.010.145 | Doll | Cloth Anesama Style Doll A: Rolled paper and straw make up the core of this doll. Her hair is black fabric tied around cloth bundles in order to form buns. Hair made up in traditional geisha fashion. Two plastic decorations in top of hair and back bun is tied in a silver cord. Her head is made from silk wrapped around cloth core. It is beige with black hair painted around top of face, black eyes, pink cheeks and red dot for mouth. Her kimono is purple and white silk in a up and down arrow pattern. It is lined with red crepe. Her obi is black and gold brocade, wrapped around doll and tied in bow on back. B: Black painted wood stand, L: 2 3/8" , 1 3/4", H: 1/4" has hole in center to support doll. |
| 1996.010.145 | Doll | Cloth Anesama Style Doll A: Rolled paper and straw make up the core of this doll. Her hair is black fabric tied around cloth bundles in order to form buns. Hair made up in traditional geisha fashion. Two plastic decorations in top of hair and back bun is tied in a silver cord. Her head is made from silk wrapped around cloth core. It is beige with black hair painted around top of face, black eyes, pink cheeks and red dot for mouth. Her kimono is purple and white silk in a up and down arrow pattern. It is lined with red crepe. Her obi is black and gold brocade, wrapped around doll and tied in bow on back. B: Black painted wood stand, L: 2 3/8" , 1 3/4", H: 1/4" has hole in center to support doll. |
| 1996.010.146 | Miniature Doll | Miniature Cloth Anesama Doll Miniature knelling geisha figure holding paper scroll. Head is single round of white cloth with no features. Hair is black cloth tied in loops to resemble formal geisha hair style. Back hair knot is tied with a single thread. A small yellow patch is glued to the top of the front knot of hair. Head is attached to body by single metal rod. Body is clothed in purple and white kimono in a up and down arrow pattern . Sleeves have red crepe lining. Bottom has pink crepe lining. Obi is single piece of gold and peach cloth brocade tied in a bow in back. A yellow cord in a bow protrudes from the back. Draped over sleeves, being held out, is a piece of rice paper with printed lines and glued on. She is kneeling on a black painted wood stand. The figure is secured to the stand by a nail. |
| 1996.010.146 | Miniature Doll | Miniature Cloth Anesama Doll Miniature knelling geisha figure holding paper scroll. Head is single round of white cloth with no features. Hair is black cloth tied in loops to resemble formal geisha hair style. Back hair knot is tied with a single thread. A small yellow patch is glued to the top of the front knot of hair. Head is attached to body by single metal rod. Body is clothed in purple and white kimono in a up and down arrow pattern . Sleeves have red crepe lining. Bottom has pink crepe lining. Obi is single piece of gold and peach cloth brocade tied in a bow in back. A yellow cord in a bow protrudes from the back. Draped over sleeves, being held out, is a piece of rice paper with printed lines and glued on. She is kneeling on a black painted wood stand. The figure is secured to the stand by a nail. |
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