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.