“Kokeshi” Dolls Enjoy Surge of Renewed Interest

Jumbo dolls line a street in Naruko Onsen, a kokeshi production center.

Carving a kokeshi at Sakurai Kokeshi Shop. Here, visitors can try their hand at painting a design onto their own kokeshi.

The Miyagi Zaō Kokeshi Museum in Tōgatta Onsen. Similar facilities exhibiting kokeshi can be found throughout Tōhoku.

Kokeshi designs feature on all sorts of souvenir items.

An airplane-shaped kokeshi on display at the Miyagi Prefectural Office.

Seen from the front, Naruko Onsen kokeshi display a line of chrysanthemums, while their heads are crowned with lozenge-shaped chrysanthemum crests. (Photo courtesy of the Miyagi Prefectural Tourism Department)

From left: Tsugaru-, Nanbu-, and Kijiyama-style kokeshi. (From left, courtesy of the Tsugaru Kokeshi Doll Museum, Hanamaki Tourism Association, and Yuzawa City Chamber of Commerce and Industry Division)

From left: Naruko-, Sakunami-, and Tōgatta-style kokeshi. (Left and right photos courtesy of Miyagi Prefectural Tourism Department; center photo courtesy of Sendai Tourism, Convention, and International Association)

From left, Yajirō-, Hijiori-, and Yamagata-style kokeshi. (From left, photos courtesy of Shiroishi Sightseeing Navigation, Hoteiya, and the Yamagata City Commerce and Tourism Department)

From left, Zaō-, Tsuchiyu-, and Nakanosawa-style kokeshi. (From left, courtesy of Yamagata City Commerce and Tourism Department, Tsuchiyu Onsen Tourism Association, and Shoepress)