Heian

Heian means "Peace of mind"

This doll is a precious and high value of hina kokeshi doll. it is made by Usaburo Okamoto. This is the first of my couple kokeshi that I collected.

The detail about this doll : 

Height         : 10.5 cm

Body          :  8.5 cm

Weight        : 800g

Material      : Mizuki tree

Kokeshi by Usaburo

Lullaby by Usaburo

This is a Japanese creative kokeshi wooden doll by Usaburo. It feels very warm and cute one when a mother holds a baby in her arm and it sounds like she is singing a song for the baby. The title 'Lullaby'.The size 18.5cm tall and 580g.

Lovely festival boy by Usaburo

This is creative kokeshi wooden doll who wears a blue Hanten (Kimono for festival) and Hachimaki (headband).The size approximately 14 cm tall and 240.

Unique, with her long green kimono

This is one of my unique and my favourite Kokeshi doll. I get this from my aunt who traveled to Japan 4 years ago. 

by Masae Fujikawa

Kokeshi By Toshio Sekiguchi

 

Miyabi by Toshio Sekiguchi

This is a creative Kokeshi doll who wears a gorgeous gold and bright clours kimono. Beautiful Nicrome wire drawing on the kimono.The title is 'Miyabi'. The size is approximately 17 cm and 365g.

Hiyori by Toshio Sekiguchi

This is a creative Kokeshi doll with an unusual unique round shape. She's shaped round wears a gorgeous and beautiful kimono with Kiku flower pattern. It is very delicated hand painting. The title is 'Hiyori' means Lovely Day. The size is 10 cm tall and 455g

Flower Utage by Toshio Sekiguchi

This is one of my favourite and valuable kokeshi doll in my collections. it's look different than others. This kokeshi doll with an unusual unique flat conic shape, a lot of people says if this kokeshi doll is like UFO. The size is 13cm in diameter, 7cm tall and 400g

Longevity by Toshio Sekiguchi

This is a couple of creative Kokeshi dolls set. These are very cute grandfather and grandmother Kokeshi who wears Japanese traditional Kimonos and vests. And he has white beard. This kokeshi 'Longevity' means a long life together. The size is 10cm and 240g

Kokeshi by Masae Fujikawa

 Ame Agari by Masae Fujikawa

This is a creative Kokeshi doll who has a cute floral umbrella. a symbol of a girl waiting someone under the rain.The title is 'Ame agari' means after the rain. the size approximately 16cm and 425g

This is a gorgeous, beautiful and a high value of creative Kokeshi doll. She wears fantastic and elegant purple and green kimono with wisteria and bamboo motif. The title is 'Yosoi' means dress up 20cm tall and 680g. a big size and heavy doll.

Yosoi by Masae Fujikawa

Thank you to you, Melissa

 

Hohoemi by Masae Fujikawa

This is a creative Kokeshi doll who wears a lovely red kimono with a flower pattern. the size approximately 15cm tall and 260g. The name of Kokeshi is 'hohoemi' that means smile. Actually this kokeshi doll was a gift from my best friend, Melissa. Without in realizing we had been friends for nearly 19 years. We have been many that we are facing together. I hope we'll always be friends, not only we face a hard time but also we are happy together untill we finally smilling as a symbol of this doll.

 

 Childhood, we are together

 

Now, we are still together

My First Kokeshi Doll

Soshun - Beginning of Spring

This is my first Kokeshi Doll that I bought in my home town, Jakarta. I bought this at Kinokuniya Book store. it is simple, have a nice long hair cut and perhaps a more shapely body. I'm forgot how much the price at the time I purchased this but as I recall of approximately IDR 285.000; (About $33.4.).

My Second Kokeshi Doll

 Haru No Iro (Spring Color)

My Second Kokeshi doll, it is made by Mr. Usaburo Okamoto or more commonly known as artificial Usaburo Kokeshi born in the Gunma prefecture in 1917. he won the prime minister award for his beautiful and stunning kokeshi dolls. But it is so sad for usaburo kokeshi lover knowing that he passed away in July 2009.

Usaburo Okamoto

Usaburo Kokeshi has about 300 kinds of Kokeshies. Usaburo using a zelkova trees which has great wood texture as base wood, Usaburo Kokeshi gives natural beauty and harmony of wood to its design. Usaburo Kokeshi is the Japanese traditional doll "Kokeshi" shop and manufacturer in Gunma Prefecture. He still touches the hearts of collectors and visitors in Japan through his shop in Maebashi, Japan. or visit Url: http:// www.usaburo.com

Kokeshi Dolls

 

The History of Kokeshi Doll

Kokeshi dolls originate from the Tohoku region of Northern Japan, an area well-known for its onsen (hot spring) resorts. These handmade wooden dolls are thought to date back to the early 19th century when kijiya (woodworkers), accustomed to making bowls and trays, began using their woodworking skills and lathes to make simple dolls to sell as toys and souvenirs to the onsen visitors. 

Traditional Kokeshi Doll

Traditional Kokeshi Dolls were created with very simple designs. The bodies and head cylindrical and the dolls did not have limbs. Traditional Kokeshi dolls featured simple faces and basic colors such as red or black. The patterns painted on their kimonos are also simple.

  

Creative Kokeshi Dolls

Creative kokeshi, relatively new having only developed as an art form since the 2nd World War. Creative Kokeshi represents a departure in style from the more traditional Kokeshi. They are more contemporary in their design with perhaps a more shapely body, added features such as hair, as well as colourful exquisitely patterned kimono. Creative kokeshi are 'created' by artists, Creative Kokeshi dolls are not crafted using the historic painting techniques or colors that are characteristic of traditional Kokeshi. The creative style of dolls feature bright colors, modern designs, and are not restricted in shape or style the shape are all unique. the artist have they own style and feature in it. The majority of creative kokeshi are made in Gunma prefecture.

When I Started to fall in love with Creative Kokeshi Dolls

Kokeshi dolls have been popular in Japan for generations. The first time I began to love Creative Kokeshi dolls, when I found the doll around the beginning of 2008 and immediately it's attracted my heart and never stop to collects kokeshi dolls. Here on this blog I put my entire collection of kokeshi dolls and I open to all my friends if they are willing to join participate to give an advice, suggest or help me to find a cute kokeshi dolls. Happy Kokeshi hunting!  Be Happy, Be Love and Be Unique...Sayonaraaa