Kokeshi
is the Japanese traditional doll.
The doll has a very simple shape; only the head of the globe and the body of the column. A joint of the head and the body was made thin so that a child was easy to grasp it.
History
Kokeshi came to be sold as a souvenir in the Tohoku district from Edo era.
When the Taisho era began, kokeshi turned into the role as the appreciation things of adult rather than the toy of the child.
An all-Japan kokeshi contest is held every year in May. Since 1954, the annual Prime Minister' s prize has been awarded to the best work of creative kokeshi makers.
Types of kokeshi
There are 250+ types of kokeshi.
This list is not finished; you can help Wikipedia by adding to it. , Iwate Prefecture, Miyagi Prefecture, Fukushima Prefecture, Aomori Prefecture
How to get kokeshi
specialized store
folk craft shop
exhibition of specialty goods
order from craftsman of kokeshi directly
and so on
References
Other websites
" 32nd Michinoku Kokeshi Festival" at Destination Tohoku
" Kokeshi" at Japanya. co. uk
Japanese culture