The humble kokeshi were said to be invented in the Tohoku region of Japan as souvenirs for travelers coming to enjoy the regional hot springs. The simple design of traditional kokeshi is a round “head” attached to a cylinder body, created from cherry or mizuki wood by an artisan using a lathe. If the faces…
Tag: doll
Sarubobo
Sarubobo is a common sight around Gifu Prefecture as it is a symbol of the Takayama area of Gifu. It is a doll traditionally fashioned from red cloth and no face that was made for local children to play with. While vaguely human in shape, sarubobo literally means “monkey baby” and the lack of a…
365 JAPAN 