Tsuchiyu Kokeshi

Image: Wikimedia Commons

Tsuchiyu Kokeshi are traditional kokeshi dolls nurtured in Tsuchiyu Onsen in Fukushima City, and together with the Naruko and Togatta lineages of Miyagi Prefecture, they are counted among the three major birthplaces of kokeshi in the Tohoku region. They are said to have emerged around 300 years ago from the handiwork of kijishi (woodworking artisans) who made wooden vessels and tools during the Edo period, and since then they have been cherished as souvenirs for hot spring visitors and as children's toys. Compared with dolls from other regions, Tsuchiyu Kokeshi have a distinctively feminine look, with a small head and slender body. The head is painted with a black snake-eye ring pattern, and the face is framed by long bangs and a red hair ornament called 'kase' on either side, with whale-like eyes, a drooping nose, and a small pursed mouth giving them a simple, gentle expression. The head is fitted into the body using a socket-joint construction, and turning the head makes a distinctive squeaking sound - another charming feature unique to Tsuchiyu Kokeshi. Today, craftsmen still keep workshops in Tsuchiyu Onsen, continuing to turn each doll by hand.