Nanbu-kei Kokeshi are traditional kokeshi dolls originating in Hanamaki City, Iwate Prefecture, modeled after a toy called 'kinakina' made by woodworkers. The head and body are turned separately on a lathe, and the head is deliberately fitted loosely so that it wobbles on its axis - a structural feature found only in the Nanbu style among Japan's eleven traditional kokeshi lineages. Originally the dolls had no painted face or pattern and were left as plain wood, but they later came to be decorated with flowers and patterns under the influence of craftsmen from the Naruko and Togatta lineages, and they also became known as Hanamaki kokeshi. The dolls are also known for using a fine wood called kosanbara (Japanese holly), prized for its white, hard grain, and they continue to be handmade by craftsmen mainly in Hanamaki and Morioka cities today. Their simple, expressive appearance remains beloved as a folk toy nurtured by the climate of the Tohoku region.
Origin
The prototype of Nanbu-kei Kokeshi is a folk toy called 'kinakina,' made in the Edo period by woodworkers such as the Sasaki and Susumago families of Hanamaki. Because the head was fitted in a socket that let it wobble on its axis, it was called 'kinakina-bo,' 'kinakina-bokko,' or 'kikura-bokko,' and is said to have developed from a child's pacifier. Originally it was a simple wooden toy with no painted face or body pattern.
History
Later, through exchanges with craftsmen from the Naruko and Togatta lineages, coloring techniques were introduced, and patterns such as chrysanthemums, peonies, and cherry blossoms came to be painted on the dolls, leading to the name 'Hanamaki kokeshi.' In the early Showa era, craftsmen such as Susumago and Sato Eikichi preserved the Hanamaki tradition, and today craftsmen such as Sato Tadao and Susumago Seizo continue to pass down the handmade technique.
Features
The defining feature of Nanbu-kei Kokeshi is a construction called 'sashikomi,' in which the head is deliberately fitted loosely into the body rather than fixed tightly. This produces the distinctive, playful wobble as the head moves on its axis - a feature found only in the Nanbu style among Japan's eleven traditional kokeshi lineages. The dolls also make use of a fine wood called 'kosanbara' (Japanese holly), prized for its white, hard grain, and each craftsman's individuality shows through in the simple appearance of the finished pieces.
Materials Used
Production Process
- 1
Drying the raw wood
Cut logs are carefully dried for six months or more until they reach a condition suitable for turning.
- 2
Cutting and rough-shaping
The wood is cut to size with a circular saw and roughly shaped into a round form.
- 3
Turning on the lathe
The head and body are each turned on a lathe and finished into the shape of a kokeshi doll.
- 4
Fitting the head
Holes are drilled in the head and body, and a rod is deliberately fitted loosely so the head can move on its axis.
- 5
Painting and finishing
The face and patterns are drawn with ink and dye, then polished with wax to bring out a lustrous finish.
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Artisans & Workshops
工房木偶乃坊（煤孫こけし）
A workshop located across from the Miyazawa Kenji Memorial Museum in Hanamaki City, adjacent to Dowa Mura (Fairy Tale Village). It carries on the Nanbu-kei kokeshi techniques passed down through the Susumago family and also produces kokeshi motifs inspired by Miyazawa Kenji.
Official site →How to Buy
- 森の店っこや（宮沢賢治童話村内）
- A souvenir shop handling Hanamaki specialty products, including Nanbu-kei kokeshi made in Hanamaki. Purchases are also available through its online shop, with kokeshi starting from around 3,000 yen.Where to buy →PR