Tsuchiyu kokeshi (1)

Ten Major Areas of Traditional Kokeshi

There are 10 types in traditional kokeshi(cf."Type of traditional-kokeshi.Each type has been generally developed on each production area.So,each type is named after the name of its production area.Below is the list of them.

1. Tsuchiyu (土湯)
2. Yajiro (弥次郎)
3. Togatta (遠刈田)
4. Naruko (鳴子)
5. Yamagata (山形)
6. Zao (蔵王)
7. Hiziori (肘折)
8. Kijiyama (木地山)
9. Hanamaki (花巻)
10. Nuruyu (温湯)

This is the map showing all production areas.

Large traditional-kokeshi mapDisplay

The above map indicates almost all Tohoku region-Fukushima (福島),Miyagi (宮城)(above is marked Sendai(仙台)),Yamagata (山形),Iwate (岩手),Akita (秋田),and Aomori (青森).All are onsen spots as well.

(Niigata (新潟) is not included in Tohoku.)

Background of Tsuchiyu

First of all,I will talk about "Tsuchiyu kokeshi".You can know the overview of Tsuchiyu from the site "the Tsuchiyu".Might I add,it had some historical background below.

• a major base of transportation which led to big cities of the day in Tohoku
• a vibrant town with many amusements including nightlife
• a town with attractive culture brought from Edo and Kyoto

These factors enabled Tsuchiyu to product kokeshi early in Japan.

Later on,it was replaced as a major town along with other areas development in Tohoku.And worse,some terrible disasters caused its decline.But now it still remains as one of popular spa spots in Tohoku.

Next Time I will talk about the characteristics of Tsuchiyu kokeshi.