Kokeshi, Japanese Folk Toy, Naruko-kei

Artisan and Design: Folk Art Pre 1990: item #414460
PNK-11

Kokeshi, wooden folk toy of NE Japan. Height: 8.25". This is an example of "Naruko-kei" tradition of Miyagi Prefecture. It is signed "Tatsuko", the artisan (Ms. [rare in the mostly male world of kokeshi artisans]) Takahashi Tatsuko. For a brief story on "dentou" (traditional) kokeshi, please see our weblog, which is accessible through our Trocadero homepage.

Kokeshi, Japanese Folk Toy, Yamagata-kei

Artisan and Design: Folk Art Pre 1980: item #414457
PNK-9

Kokeshi, wooden folk toy of NE Japan. Height: 8.5". This is an example of the "Yamagata-kei" tradition of Yamagata Prefecture. This kokeshi was made in the town of Toune by the artisan Yamaguchi Shuuichi, who was born on June 21, 1924 (Taisho 13.) It is not dated, but was most likely made during the 1970's or early 1980's. For a brief story on "dentou" (traditional) kokeshi, please see our weblog, which is accessible through our Trocadero homepage.

Kokeshi, Japanese Folk Toy, Naruko-kei

Artisan and Design: Folk Art Pre 1990: item #414455
PNK-7

Kokeshi, wooden folk toy of NE Japan. Height: 9.75". This is an example of the "Naruko-kei" tradition of Miyagi Prefecture. The artisan is Takahashi Teruyuki, who was born on January 13th, Showa 15 (1930.) It is not dated, but was most likely made during the 1970's or 1980's. For a brief story of "dentou" (traditional) kokeshi, please see our weblog, which is accessible through our Trocadero homepage.

Kokeshi, Japanese Folk Toy, Yamagata-kei

Artisan and Design: Folk Art Pre 1990: item #414454
PNK-4

Kokeshi, wooden folk toy of NE Japan. Height: 7.5". This is an example of "Yamagata-kei" tradition of Yamagata Prefecture. The artisan was Okazaki Shouichi, who was born in Showa 3 (1928) and passed away at the age of 67 on April 15th, 1995 (Heisei 7.) It is not dated, but was most likely made during the 1970's or 1980's. For a brief story on "dentou" (traditional) kokeshi, please see our weblog, which is accessible through our Trocadero homepage.

Kokeshi, Japanese Folk Toy, Tougatta-kei

Artisan and Design: Folk Art Pre 1990: item #414450
PNK-3

Kokeshi, wooden folk toy of NE Japan. Height: 9.25". This is an example of the "Tougatta-kei" tradition of Miyagi Prefecture. The artisan is Yuda Sadao. It is not dated, but most likely made in the 1980's. For a brief story on "dentou" (traditional) kokeshi, please see our weblog, which is accessible through our Trocadero homepage.

Kokeshi, Japanese Folk Toy, Akiu Onsen

Artisan and Design: Folk Art Pre 1980: item #414383
PNK-1

Kokeshi, wooden folk toy of NE Japan. Height: 24". This is an example of kokeshi made at Akiu Onsen (Akiu Hot Spring) in Miyagi Prefecture. It is one of the older kokeshi-making sites in Tohoku (NE Japan.) It is a large doll, standing 2 feet high! The artisan was Satou Noboru, who was born on June 10th, 1932 (Showa 17.) It is not dated, but was most likely made in the late 1970's. For a brief story on "dentou" (traditional) kokeshi, please see our weblog, which can be accessed through our Trocad... Click for details

Kokeshi, Japanese Folk Toy, Yajiro-kei

Artisan and Design: Folk Art Pre 2000: item #414381
PNK-31

Kokeshi, wooden folk toy of NE Japan. Height: 5". This is an example of the "Yajiro-kei" tradition of Miyagi Prefecture, with a lesser classification of Shiraishi, the city where the artisan is located. The artisan is Ougura Katsushi, who was born on November 22nd, 1947 (Showa 22.) It is not dated, but was most likely made during the 1980's. For a brief story on "dentou" (traditional) kokeshi, please see our weblog, which can be accessed through our Trocadero homepage.

Kokeshi, Japanese Folk Toy, Tsugaru -kei

Artisan and Design: Folk Art Pre 2000: item #414379
PNK-23

Kokeshi, wooden folk toy of NE Japan. Height: 9.5". This is an example of kokeshi from Aomori Prefecture, the northernmost prefecture on the main island of Honshu. It is classified as "Tsugaru-kei", Tsugaru being the old name for this region, with a lesser classification of "Nuruyu," the hot spring area where many Aomori kokeshi artisans are located. It was made by Satou Yoshiki, who was born on September 26th, 1959 (Showa 24.) It is signed by the artisan, which the additional notation "Sensei ... Click for details

Kokeshi, Japanese Folk Toy, Nambu-kei

Artisan and Design: Folk Art Pre 2000: item #414375
PNK-28

Kokeshi, wooden folk toy of NE Japan. Height: 5.25". This is an example of the "Nambu-kei" tradition of Iwate Prefecture. It was made at Hanamaki Onsen (Hanamaki Hot Spring) by an unidentified artisan. The wood used is "keyaki" (Zelkova-Chinese Elm.) It is not dated, but was most likely made during the past 20 years. This particular tradition of kokeshi is unique in that there is no painting, as in all other traditional kokeshi of Tohoku (NE Japan.) The wood is left bare. These are often seen on... Click for details

Kokeshi, Japanese Folk Toy, Naruko-kei

Artisan and Design: Folk Art Pre 1990: item #414372
PNK-26

Kokeshi, wooden folk toy of NE Japan. Height: 5.125". This is an example of the "Naruko-kei" tradition of Miyagi Prefecture. This particular shape was called an "ezuko" (Basket child) in the local Miyagi vernacular. The artisan was Oyama Kesaki, who was born on March 25th, 1940 (Showa 15.) It is not dated, but was most likely made during the 1980's. For a brief story on "dentou" (traditional) kokeshi, please see our weblog, which can be accessed through our Trocadero homepage.