Hmm...what's in the adorable box?
A Kokeshi doll!
Kokeshi dolls are handcrafted wooden folk art dolls made by Kokeshi artists in Japan. Kokeshi dolls first began about two hundred years ago in the northeast corner of Japan. It is commonly thought that woodwork artists at that time who specialized in kitchen bowls, trays and utensils started making these dolls for wealthy tourists who came to bathe in the many hot springs near their villages. These tourists would bring them home to their children, believing that it would make a good impression on the gods if children played with them, promising a good harvest.
The style and skill of the Kokeshi dolls was passed on from master to apprentice and father to son. Shapes and patterns were particular to certain areas. They all have common characteristics: a limbless body and a round head, hand painted in bright florals, kimonos or other japanese motifs.
The unique feature of mine is that the head lifts off making it a container...
Cute huh? I think she'll look great displayed with my little collection of Matryoshka stacking dolls.
lisa
Oh! And not to forget about my little wooden geisha ornament! I love to pick up Christmas ornaments when we travel and my guy remembered to grab one...
3 comments:
Adorable doll! I have a friend who is Japanese, and she brings me back little treasures when she visits - they always have very well thought out packaging.
Too cute Lisa! What a sweet little doll, love that it's a container. I love it when husbands do something sweet like that on a business trip. :-)
lucky girl...he's a keeper. xo
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