Type of traditional-kokeshi

"Type" in Traditional Kokeshi

As mentioned previous post(""Whether creative or not?"), The word of traditional kokeshi was introduced somewhat rashly to react against the situation at that time. But it doesn't always mean the word is pointless.



There had already been and still has been an another term "type"(or "group") in the kokeshi world before the word traditional kokeshi was invented.



A "type" literally means a group of kokeshi which have particular features in common. The concept of type applies only to traditional kokeshi because creative kokeshi had not appeared yet at that time when this concept was introduced.



I'll show you some example of "type" before explaining it.


(you may have to enlarge below picture)

Something Traditional

These are just a few features of each type. Each type has each features on body shape, looks, colouring, paint design, structure and so on. Or conversely, when some kokeshi are similar to each other on these perspectives, they are categorized as a type. Now Most people accept the classification of 10 types.



Without further discussion about the details of each type(I'll do it sometime soon), the point is that these features are exactly something traditional. Too big head and waistless body line in type "Togatta" might be even supported by people at that time, and squared shoulder in type "Naruko" might be futuristic against common low shoulder. These has been modified over again and again, and become as they are. There are many accumulations of know-how -so careful and so delicate brushwork and whittling so on.

"An art which cannot be specified in detail cannot be transmitted by prescription, since no prescription for it exists. It can be passed on only be example from master to apprentice. This restricts the range of diffusion to that of personal contacts, and we find accordingly that craftsmanship tends to survive in closely circumscribed local traditions."(*1)

said Michael Polanyi, a philosopher. It quite applies to kokeshi. Therefore, some authorities exerted themselves to preserve these traditional kokeshi. Or else,

"It follows that an art which has fallen into disuse for the period of a generation is altogether lost."(*1)

Anyway, I must sincerely apologize for them on the above picture. I have made them lose face with writing anything so rude literally in their face!

They have a lot of good reason to speak nothing to me...

(*1)Michael Polanyi,"Personal Knowledge,P53,The University of Chicago Press"