Kokeshi: From Folk Art to Art Toy on NBC News

Despite the mispronunciation at the beginning and the embellishing a bit on the story behind the custom Kokeshi section, it's a pretty sweet piece. And all put together at the last minute, so I'm very happy with the results. Make sure you see this exhibition in-person... it's now NBC recommended ;)

And thank you to Edwin Ushiro for being on call to R E P R E S E N T! Make sure to check out his solo show, opening at LeBasse Projects in Culver City, September 12, 2009.

A Solo Exhibition by Edwin Ushiro

September 12, 2009, 7PM-10PM
6023 Washington Blvd.
Culver City, CA 90232
310.558.0200
contact@lebasseprojects.com

Photos ©Edwin Ushiro 2009

Blank Kokeshi 2009

click on above image for larger view

I was unable to find blank kokeshi online back in 2007 when I started the first Custom Kokeshi show, so I had to have all the dolls created for me. All are U.S. made from Hardwood Maple and Birch (sorry, not the traditional Japanese woods) with removable head. Minor sanding may be required to finish cut edges.

The LARGE is the same design the artists used for the Fall 2007 show at Subtext. The ARTIST size is the same design used in the most recent show at the Japanese American National Museum. I have a limited quantity of every style, write me if you would like to purchase any, this is the "official shop" for now :)

Happy Creating!
Christina Conway

Earth Kokeshi

Here she is, my "Earth Kokeshi" shirt design through Spicy Brown. First debut will be at San Diego Comic Con this Wednesday through Sunday (7/23 - 7/27) at the Spicy Brown booth #4832.

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

It's Gettin' Hot in Here

This is awesome! A new friend I made this year is Mandy Jouan of SappyMooseTree. She's an extremely talented and wonderfully funny young lady. She's part of a group I put together in January called San Diego Social and Creative Network. Another creative and unique woman I met through SDSCN is Shayna Yates of Unordinary.org. Well, fate had it planned that Mandy and Shayna should meet and the result is a sweet collaboration you can view in the video above.

Mandy, along with her close friend Tess, created the polar bear costume for the video of Jenny Owen Youngs' "It's Getting Hot in Here," a cover of an original song by Nelly. Shayna made the singing animal heads above the fireplace. You can find photos of the polar bear's creation and behind-the-scenes shots of the video creation at Mandy's flikr site. Tess played the bear in the video and I hear it was beyond "hot in (t)here" and Mandy played around a bit in the Sasquatch suit. What a talented pair!

"octopus fascinator part two" modeled and created by Shayna Yates

Shayna is also one of the artists that will be creating a custom Kokeshi doll for the Subtext show Nov.3. Check out her flickr site and www.unordinary.org to see what a muliti-faceted talent this girl is, she does it all! Draws, paints, makes comics, sews and has a wonderful fashion style this is all her own. This chick rocks!

"Grandfather Beetle Got More Than His Share of Birthday Cake" ,20" x 24", oil on canvas by Shayna Yates

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.

Kokeshi Artists

I've been working on a project since late July that I feel is ready to be "let out of the bag". I started a flickr page where I could put all the artists involved in one place. The collection has blossomed into this set of amazing and note-worthy artists. I never thought my little idea would grow into something so incredible.

I approached a local gallery, Subtext, with an idea I had for a group art show. It was really just an off-shoot from a project I thought I might do with a fellow artist. I thought the show would be more interesting if there were additional artists included. I started selecting local artists I admired and then including Los Angeles artists I didn't know well, but had met briefly in the past.

The response was overwhelming. What started as a group show for maybe 30 artists has now turned into a group show with 78! At last count, we are expecting 85 pieces of custom art to be shown at Subtext Gallery.

What is the show about? The beloved Kokeshi doll.