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"

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Relax in onsen!

[kokeshi description]

• artisan : Tomio Takahashi
• type : Togatta
• tall : 47cm(18.5inch)
• max width : 13cm(5inch)
• max circumference : 41cm(16inch)

"Touji" a Kind of Balneotherapy

Kokeshi was born in onsen, hot spa area of Tohoku where craft workers had settled in.


Modern Japanese go to onsen for their leisure usually in a couple of days. It is so good, but this is somewhat different from the way of our ancestors.



They rather would use onsen as balneotherapy. This is called "touji(or "toji") in Japanese. So,some people still now go onsen for their cures -if you google such words as "onsen + cancer"etc, you can find some interesting articles. But I am not in position to say yes or no to them.



Touji had and still has the following.

• long stay -usually almost for a month
• self-catering in simple cabin near spa spot
• many kinds of bathing based on their conditions

You may remember some kind of people if you have been to onsen. Some of them take short-time bath(usually for 5-10minutes) over again and again- as if they are doing hard interval training like long-distance athletes towards the Olympic games. Some of them just lie on the floor like tuna -you can see them which are lined up in Tsukiji fish market. Actually they take shower of hot spa steam. And others take "nonstop-onsen", without a rest as if they seems to be boiled octopus.

(and for some reason, they are also often "bald")

Kokeshi in Onsen

All these are just rough sketch of touji treatment.


(I think the third nonstop-onsen treatment is not good for health. And if you try to come to onsen for your care, you had better consult with doctors or some kind of onsen therapists beforehands.)


And the point is, kokeshi has been popular as this custom of touji has been popular. Originally the custom of touji had been only among privileges such as Mikado, Shogun and so such. And most onsen spots are located too far and deep in the mountain to go. To become common needs improvement of the basis. I think that the background of its popularity was due to the significant development of the society at that time.


By the way, Japanese has the custom that they give their new born babies first bath -this is called "ubuyu" in Japanese. So,kokeshi might take an onsen-ubuyu when they was born. Moreover, it is said that some onsen make your skin more beautiful. I get there, this is the just secret that kokeshi keep their looks!!(*) -Anyway, now I will admire Mao Asada for her challenge although she didn't win the gold medal. I think what she need is to take some time off -to relax in peaceful and comfortable place and...to take an onsen!



(*)No water with kokeshi! We have to keep wood works away from water.

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Whether creative or not?

"Traditional" versus "Creative"

When I dropped at an antique shop with my dead father-in-low, I picked up a kokeshi and said to him, "wow,how pretty! don't you agree?"


He checked it for a while and said to me, "it's not so good.Because it is a...Sousaku Kokeshi".



"What' s the sousaku kokeshi" I said.

"hmm..." He fumbled with his words.

"I mean what' s the differences between 'sousaku' and others."

"hmm..."

"Well, aren't your kokeshi sousaku kokeshi? "

"No. Absolutely not!" he denied with some impatient tone.

"Okay, what are your kokeshi called?"

"Those are called 'traditional kokeshi'"he replied.




I didn't inquire about it any more. It was obvious that he was so annoyed with my question -I was a complete beginner of kokeshi at that time(and maybe still just a beginner). But at the same time I realized that his irritation was not only because of my lack of knowledge, but also of his own inarticulacy.

Origin of Creative Kokeshi

You can easily find many kinds of something "sousaku"(or "sosaku") if you google the word. The word is generally translated as "creative" in English. So, you can also find the word like "creative kokeshi".



"A creative person has the ability to invent and develop original ideas, especially in the arts."(quoted from "Collins COBUILD English Dictionary").



That's almost right. "sosaku ryori" is an attempt to break traditional Japanese cuisine and "sosaku rakugo" is also an attempt to break traditional rakugo, a Japanese traditional verbal entertainment. But as for kokeshi, it was somewhat different from these artistic or cultural challenges.



Kokeshi, originally made only in Tohoku, north-east region in Japan, has been made in many parts of Japan since WWⅡ.



So many men, so many minds, and so many kokeshi. These kokeshi was different from original kokeshi in many aspects -some with colourful, some with gorgeous dress, and some with blond -I hear some kokeshi even had limb. Moreover, here many factory-made kokeshi came in. Kokeshi had originally been made by Kijishi' s own hand all alone.



In fact, this movement had been promoted not on artistic or art craft basis but on commercial basis -as 'easy to develop souvenir'. This was a danger to those who had loved and preserved classical kokeshi. So they distinguished these classical kokeshi from others and called the former as traditional-kokeshi and the latter as creative-kokeshi. Some people even call the latter as 'new-type-kokeshi' instead of the word 'creative kokeshi' because they think "those kind of kokeshi are not absolutely creative!!".

Coexistence

Today, this doesn't really matter -yes, so many men, so many minds, and so many kokeshi. I know some of creative kokeshi are quite hand made and so attractive.
Rather the matter is whether we can keep 'so many kokeshi' -kokeshi artisans has been decreasing years as other traditional artisans has been decreasing. It is because I really want many people as possible understand and enjoy kokeshi that I write about them with bad English.

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Gypsies in Japan

[kokeshi description]

• artisan : Ken-ichi Nishiyama
• type : Traditional Tsuchiyu Kokeshi
• tall : 26cm(10inch)
• max width : 7cm(2.7inch)
• max circumference : 20cm(8inch)

Nomadic Kokeshi Artisans

It is called "Kijishi" in Japanese who have crafted kokeshi.
They have been so mysterious in Japanese history.
One of the reasons is they 'must' had concealed their identities.



They had been discriminated against because they were nomadic -they have not settled originally. Therefore, when they needed to settle, they had to hide their origin.
Someone says that it is because they had sought for richer wood -the basis of their bread and butter that they had traveled place to place.

Kokeshi as Go-Between

Of course, there is no prejudice to them now. Conversely, they have even become "a kind of idols" among some people as the symbol of "anti-controlled society". I think this is a extreme perspective, but when it comes to "Gypsies in Japan", we have to expect further research on them. Because it may lead to a re-examination of not only folklore but also Japanese history. Anyway, without further discussion, no doubt that this historic anecdote also inspires kokeshi enthusiasts.



We are often afraid of anyone we don't know -"Don't trust a stranger!".
At that time, most people might be also afraid of "strangers" and never get near to them. But the strangers had high skill of woodcrafts and the dolls they crafted was quite different from them - so cute and friendly.



And they both has come to get close each other -as "Strangers at hand are better than relations afar".
Maybe kokeshi had been playing as a bridge between them.

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Spinning kokeshi

[kokeshi description]

• artisan : Shoji Sakurai
• type : Naruko

Kokeshi and Rokuro

You may know the potter' s wheel which is used in shaping of round ceramic wares. Similar tool are used in crafting kokeshi -called "ROKURO”, a kind of spinning lathe.That is, artisans carved and painted raw wood spinned on the rokuro, and make it into the work of kokeshi. You can see some ring pattern around head and body of kokeshi. These are drawn with the rokuro.



Thus, rokuro was an important tool in crafting kokeshi. But in addition, the reason why I used the past tense “was” above is that kokeshi is not always crafted with rokuro today. Some authorities of kokeshi say "those are not kokeshi without being made with rokuro". I won't be involved with this issue any more, but it is true that some of modern kokeshi with the trademark "hand made" are made in automated factory.

Beauty Form by Rokuro

Rokuro gives regular and concentric curved form to woodcrafts like ceramic works. I think it is the main reason why kokeshi artisans have used rokuro - its symmetrically rounded form is a major element of kokeshi as an art craft. Kokeshi gives them much comfort. I think it is because of not only its lovely smile but also its soft and balanced form. Of course, now I won't say, ”it doesn't deserve 'kokeshi' without symmetrically rounded form”



Now on winter Olympics, Vancouver. Most Japanese expect Mao Asada, a Japanese figure skater win the gold medal. Maybe she jumps higher, steps skippingly, and turn elegantly. I also hope she win, and... spins quickly round and round like kokeshi dolls on rokuro.

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Pity kokeshi or not?

[Kokeshi Description]

• artisan : Choichiro Watanabe
• type : Tsuchiyu
• tall : 17cm(7.5inch)

Kokeshi is Poor?

That is a unique characteristic – kokeshi has no limb. It is quite different from other Japanese traditional dolls from the point of view.



Another characteristic is kokeshi is a wooden art craft in contrast that many other dolls are ceramic. Here is an interesting historic fact - ceramic had been replacing woodwork in most of Japan at that time when kokeshi was born. Sure, now we can't meet wooden utensils except hashi, chopsticks.

A Kind of Abstract Art?

Simpleness is often regarded as roughness,and “Losers are always in the wrong”. Some people say these features of kokeshi indicate the poorness of Tohoku region in Japan at that time where kokeshi came from. But these opinion are still controversial. Tohoku region had also other dolls which were more realistic as shown in these Japanese traditional dolls(note:described in only Japanese) in the same period. This doesn't always mean Tohoku region had poor skill or lack of technology.



I think such deformation of kokeshi is a kind of intended expression like Daruma – it also has no limb. Anyway, look at the above kokeshi, you think this kid is so miserable? He seems to be rather cheeky! I think he must often annoy his mom with his trick and sass -as I used to. It is not him but his mom that deserves pity. Or...the pity is that we have not seen such primitive and straightforward looks in children today.

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Kokeshi with indomitable spirit

[kokeshi description]

• artisan : Ken-ichi Nishiyama
• type : Traditional Tsuchiyu
• tall : 30cm(12inch)
• max width : 8cm(3inch)
• max circumference : 23cm(9inch)

Once-Daring Kokeshi

Kokeshi is one of Japanese classical art crafts.It came from Tohoku, northeast region in Japan where many people had made their lives by woodworking.



In 19th it was popular as typical souvenir at onsen, hot spa – Japanese always have loved onsen and Tohoku has had many good onsen. I hear kokeshi was popular souvenir among soldiers of The Occupation who were stationed in Japan after WWⅡ. If so, I would like to know how their kokeshi are.

Kokeshi's Dark Days

In my childhood-more than 30 years ago or so- there was a boom of kokeshi-collecting.(Accurately, before that time, there had been several its booms.) Passing boom left several kokeshi our home. And after its boom ended, as a matter of routine, they were so poorly treated. My father would regard them as massager – he rubbed his stiff neck and back with them. As for me, they were quite strangers to me and I paid no notice to them. So,we were not even aware when we had lost them. I bet that they broke out of my home because they were intolerable for our contempt.I'm so sorry...



It was not only me who dishonoured them. Some hesitate to say the word“kokeshi” because it is also slang implies a kind of adult toy - dildo. I can't deny they look alike in shape. But I have to say for their honor' s, I haven't found another evidence that they were mixed up with the case – they are not to blame for slut just because someone might have 'used' them.

Modestly but Proudly

Now, they are not so popular as they used to be, but they are regarded as one of Japanese traditional crafts, and some collectors take good of them. I don't know whether they think their hard time pay, but her smile in the picture seems to be“a curve that sets everything straight”.

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Tough negotiator kokeshi

• artisan : Shiro Inoue
• type : Yajiro

Junk Kokeshi

Surprised, overwhelmed, and even disgusted at a pile of "junk” he had left when we organized his belongs.


When my father-in-low passed away, he had been a collector of Japanese antiques - small Buddha images,Darumas, Maneki Nekoes, Samurai body-armors, and much more strange items to me... I had known nothing of them and had been indifferent to them.


Even worse, so dusty box-room they were kept in!! I nearly died of dust-allergy, at the same time they were kept encased free from danger.


More than a half of them were just simple woody dolls -KOKESHI, one of Japanese art crafts.


"What to do with them?"  I asked my wife after we finished. I continued.
"You'd better to sell them in bulk or donate them to some kind of neighbor small folk museums".


It was quite reasonable, because his house was too far from ours to manage them, and if we would have taken them our home, "Give them an inch,they'll take a yard" - my house was too small to share with them. And I didn't want to be the 'ancient emperor' - who rests in peace under guard by many kind of clay figures and dolls in large burial mound. Frankly speaking, I might be a little hostile to her who forced me to 'open a can of worms'.

Code of Silence?

That night, When I went to bed, I met someone's gaze - a kokeshi doll on the rack. She was small about pen size.


"What do you think should I do? "  She gazed at me - somewhat with angry.
"OK, please listen to me. I have some reason to say goodbye to you."  I said.
"First, I am too careless to take care of you.Second, I don't know you very well. I am sorry I' m quite different from your ex... anyway, I am never such a man that have played with dolly. Third, I have hay-fever. So you had better find someone else more eligible.


She stills gazed at me without saying.And now,she still remains here.

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