Those are traditional Kokeshi. As you can see, they look a bit different from their more contemporary versions.
If I remember correctly, this picture was taken in a shop in Bikan, Kurashiki.
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Love this photo! Kokeshi are so interesting, and these traditional ones are gorgeous.
Yes, while the contemporary ones are cute, in my eyes they’re just one of the many cute things people who like Japanese cute things like. The traditional ones have something more to them, not sure what. (or maybe that’s just me because I prefer stuff that handmade as opposed to industrially made, I don’t know)
Do the people there say that kokeshi originated in that area? People in Miyagi say that they originated around here (different areas claim their origin) but I have always wanted to check. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kokeshi
No, I don’t think they did.
I always heard that they were from Northern Japan.
I’m definitely fascinated by traditional Kokeshi. They have something similar to this in Korea.
Hi Samuel,
Thanks for stopping by.
I don’t know much about Korea (almost nothing to be honest), but I’m not exactly surprised. 🙂