Kokeshi Review Posts

These are all the previous posts made on **Twinklings** regarding the Kokeshi and accompanying group art show at Subtext Gallery in San Diego. Opening night is coming soon and I'm excited to see all the pieces together. This is a wonderful project that I have had the privilege of working on. Thank you to all the talented artists who have made this show possible.


**Kokeshi** @ Subtext Nov. 3, 6-10 pm


Kokeshi Artists


Kokeshi 101


My Favorite Mino


Bunka-no-hi/Culture Day


Bill Collins - 5th Generation Woodworker

**KOKESHI** @ subtext Nov. 3, 2007

OPENING RECEPTION : SATURDAY, NOV. 3rd, 6-10pm
In celebration of Bunka-no-hi – a Japanese national holiday promoting culture, the arts, and academic endeavour – Subtext and guest curator, Christina Conway, have carefully selected over 75 artists from 13 different countries to customize traditional Japanese Kokeshi dolls. The Kokeshi doll is a traditional folk art form of Japan, dating back to approximately 1830. Originally made by craftsmen during the winter months for sale to tourists, they have come to symbolize Japan to people around the world. Featured artists include Audrey Kawasaki, Marcos Chin, Julie West, Brandi Milne, Calef Brown, Camilla Engman, Catalina Estrada, Fiona Hewitt, Gina Triplett, Jeremiah Ketner, and many more.


A complete list of participating artists can be found here:
**Kokeshi Artists**

Flickr overview of project as it unfolds can be found here:
Kokeshi Project Photos

My Favorite Mino

One of my favorite Kokeshi reminds me of the little boy in Yannick Puig's animation "I Lived on the Moon," (posted below). The artist's name is Muhitsu Yokige. The outer wrapping of the doll is called a "mino", sometimes actual straw is used and other times, like the example above, the wood is carved as a separate shell.

"(The mino) is an article of clothing worn to protect the farmers and rural peoples of the mountains from rain and snow." - Kokeshi: Wooden Treasures of Japan
I came across this specific doll in the book, "Kokeshi: Wooden Treasures of Japan". The authors/publishers are two ex-professors and the owners of Vermillion Asian Arts, Michael Evans and Robert Wolf. I recently spoke with Wolf about his book and he shared some stories regarding it's creation. One thing I found especially interesting is that it's the only English language book on Kokeshi. I hope to change that by having my own book published with all the the art from the Kokeshi group art show I'm curating. (Detailed information regarding the Kokeshi group show will be posted.)

Kokeshi 101

Kokeshi is a traditional Japanese doll usually representing a woman or girl. Made from wood, they are originally believed to be created for tourists visiting hot springs in the Tohoku region of North Eastern Japan. There are two types of Kokeshi, 'Traditional' (Dento) and 'Creative' (Shingata).

'Traditional Kokeshi' production has been handed down from teacher to pupil, during the Edo period (1603-1868) to the present day. A set technique in creation and painting style sets itself apart from the 'Creative Kokeshi' which is based on the artist's creativity, these are one-of-a-kind pieces inspired more from the imagination than tradition. Creative Kokeshi become popular after WWII.

Here's a short video from www.japanese-doll.biz that shows how a 'Traditional Kokeshi' is made:



Wikipedia has a brief summary about the history of Kokeshi and you can find more information from Japan Atlas. Wahooya.com sells a wide variety at their online store (I have never purchased from Wahooya so I cannot guarantee the service they provide) and Ebay is a great place to find all types of styles in every price imaginable.