About Miyagi Traditional Kokeshi
Miyagi Traditional Kokeshi are wooden dolls from hot spring towns in Miyagi Prefecture. Made as souvenirs for spa visitors since the late Edo period, five distinct lineages (Naruko, Togatta, Yajiro, Sakunami, Hijiori) each have unique shapes, patterns, and colors. Turned on a lathe from Japanese dogwood, the body's painted patterns express each lineage's character. Their simple forms are globally re-evaluated as minimalist design.
Techniques & Materials
Craft terms are shown in the original Japanese — these are proper names with no standard English equivalents.
Techniques
ろくろ挽き絵付け（各系統の伝統紋様）
Materials
水木（みずき）梅（うめ）こぶし
Where to see & buy
Workshop names are in Japanese; links go to their official sites.
- 鳴子こけし工房 hands-on experience