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.