Description: Kokeshi are simple wooden Japanese dolls with no arms or legs that have been crafted for more than 150 years as a toy for children. Originally from the northeastern region of Japan, they are handmade from wood, having a simple torso and head with a few thin, painted lines to define the face. The body often has floral and/or ring designs painted in red, black, and sometimes green, purple, blue, or yellow inks, and covered with a layer of wax. One characteristic of kokeshi dolls is their lack of arms or legs. Since the 1950s, kokeshi makers have signed their work, usually on the bottom and sometimes on the back. Kokeshi were first produced by kijishi, artisans proficient with a lathe, near Zaō, a town located in Miyagi Prefecture, Japan. From there kokeshi-making techniques spread to other areas in the region. It is said that these dolls were originally made during the middle of the Edo period (1600–1868) to be sold to people who were visiting the hot springs in the north-east of the country. Traditional kokeshi dolls' shapes and patterns are particular to a certain area. Yamagata kokeshi originated at Sakunami hot springs in Miyagi Prefecture, produced by the Kobayashi family. The Kobayashi family later moved to the city of Yamagata in the prefecture of the same name. However, the Hiraga family stayed and continued producing the same style doll, which is why these kokeshi are made in two different locations. There are two very different body shapes in this group - both shapes are made of one piece of wood and plum and crab-flower chrysanthemum blossoms dominate the body design. The flowers are usually painted in a very bold, stylized design in colours of red and dark green, and painted or grooved bands will ring the top and the bottom of the dolls. The dolls have disproportionately large heads, but while the original doll had a very slender body, the later dolls have wide upper bodies and very narrow bases. Both look quite top-heavy, leading some people to assume that originally they were much smaller and designed to be hand-held toys, rather than freestanding dolls. Another unique feature of the dolls is that they are only made from Mizuki, a very pale, fine-grained variety of dogwood, which grows in the Yamagata area. I am very happy to combine postage for multiple purchases - please contact me before paying for multiple items so that I can provide a revised invoice. I do not require immediate payment on Buy It Now listings. Ebay does not automatically calculate combined postage. I will do my best to save you some $$$! However, some items are just too big and fragile to be sent combined - please ask what options I can offer before bidding. Please request a combined invoice from me directly before paying, otherwise your items will be sent separately. Please do not select Local Pickup to avoid paying postage costs if you wish to combine postage with another item already purchased - this will result in cancellation of your order.Discounts are available for multiple purchases - PLEASE CONTACT ME BEFORE BUYING. Pickup is available from Wetherill Park, Sydney, NSW - cash or Paypal. I do not deliver.All items are sent by Australia Post Standard Mail with tracking.INTERNATIONAL BUYERS - All items are shipped by Australia Post Standard Airmail which includes tracking. Due to the repeated loss of parcels, I no longer ship by Economy Air. Buyers are responsible for all custom/duty tax costs. For updates of what is in store please follow me on facebook - alicesinstyle.
Price: 42 AUD
Location: Wetherill Park, NSW
End Time: 2024-09-15T08:17:20.000Z
Shipping Cost: 18.7 AUD
Product Images
Item Specifics
Return shipping will be paid by: Buyer
Returns Accepted: Returns Accepted
Item must be returned within: 30 Days
Brand: Unbranded
Model: Yamagata
Height: 20.5cm
Features: Hand Painted
Country of Origin: Japan
