The Story of Kokeshi
Kathy Yoshihara’s Mineko & Mitsuo
Exhibiting in the Japanese American National Museum’s Year of the Labbit show, opening July 14th, artist Kathy Yoshihara makes contemporary renditions of the Japanese kokeshi doll. Originating from northern Japan, traditional wooden kokeshi dolls may have been made as early as the 1600s, and their shapes and patterns are distinguishable by region. Creative, or shingata, kokeshi allow the artist much more freedom in terms of shape, design and color and were developed after World War II. Kathy uses ceramic techniques, glazes, and gourds to craft her shingata kokeshi and pay tribute to her Japanese American heritage.
A Traditional Naruko Doll
“I think most Issei (first generation) and Nisei (second generation) Japanese American families had at least one pair, a boy and a girl, of kokeshi dolls in their homes,” explains Kathy. In her house, they were the “nodder type” —their heads were suspended on a dowel, and appeared to magically move back and forth. “They were the style of kokeshi ningyo that epitomized the kitschy post-war crafts exported to the United States. But to me they are symbols of the success and struggles the Issei and Nisei achieved after World War II,” says Kathy.
Modern kokeshi from the Gallery Nucleus
Growing up, the family kokeshi sat on a shelf — not to be played with, but to be admired. With hard, cylindrical bodies, round heads, and no limbs, Kathy recalls that the dolls were strange to some guests. Kathy and her siblings could touch and hold them, but the wooden dolls “were not as inviting as Barbie or Chatty Cathy.” Nonetheless, for Kathy the kokeshi represent fond childhood memories and serve as a reminder of her heritage. “This is the reason I create kokeshi ningyos,” says Kathy, “to introduce them to others and hopefully bring a smile to others, as they make me smile.”
Want your own Kathy Yoshihara kokeshi doll? Just leave a comment below and be entered to win this kokeshi angel!
Posted by Petite Global Merchant on July 12th | CAFAM, Shop Artists | 52 comments
I love the simplicity of these dolls……you can create a personality for them yourself
these are such beautiful pieces of art!
Stories loike this really broaden our understanding of the many cultures that coexist in Los Angeles. Many families have such cultural totems, but the artistry and meaning are always unique. These dolls have so much personality, despite their simple shapes.
I cannot wait to get over to see this show! Just seeing the images and reading about the kokeshi ningyos made me smile!
Seriously sooooo cute! I’ve loved Gallery Nucleus for a long time, glad to see ‘em featured on The Notebook. Being an apartment dweller, this modern kokeshi is really amusing: http://www.gallerynucleus.com/detail/5819
I love the size of this dureble doll.Love to have bunch of them.
Love the dolls…so simply and so cute…looking forward to the exhibit. Thanks for another chase to broaden my horizon!
i have always admired the simplicity of this form. primitive AND sophisticated. just lovely…
xxx
Thank you sharing these beautiful Kokeshi dolls and their story with us. I did not know anything about Kokeshi before and I am now excited to see the exhibition to learn more about their history, all the various styles and media used to make them, and the stories behind each one. I really like Kathy Yoshihara’s interpretation of the dolls and her memory of growing up with them. As an immigrant to the USA, I can empathize with her familial influences, the draw of the mainstream Barbie and her response to the different cultures that shaped her.
Most of all, my first glimpse of her angel and I was in love!
I vividly remember my first school field trip to the Smithsonian 30+ years ago when my mother gave me $2 to buy something in the gift shop (my favorite part of the trip!) and after looking carefully at everything within my price range, I was smitten by a simple, wooden little doll with no limbs. It just made me happy to hold it. I brought it home where it sat on my shelf throughout my childhood, college, into my adult life, and survived many moves. I had no idea it was called a Kokeshi Doll. When I got married, my husband-to-be wanted me to sell all my “stuff” at a yard sale and the Kokeshi Doll went away. There was something about it that always made me smile and think of home.
I love the simplicity and peacefulness of these dolls. I would like to know if the artist makes them in larger size.
Thank you
Wonderful dolls.I’m one of the leaders of the LAWest GOURD PATCH …your use of gourds is excellent. Maybe someday you could visit our Patch and do a group lesson!
Lovely!
These dolls are amazing. The simplicity of form mixed with the detailing on the body and clothing yield a mesmerizing form.
These are beautiful!
WOW! I would love to add these Kokeshi to my doll collection!
They are very attractive and quite interesting. I think I prefer them to my Barbies.
Make sure to check out the rest of Kathy’s dolls on the site! Thank you for visiting!
So charming! The story is fascinating and makes me want to investigate Kokeshi dolls further. The original style is charming and the new styles are amazingly creative! Looking forward to the show.
Awesome and amusing contemporary kokeshi – added to our Tumblr – thanks for sharing, Amanda!
Beautiful dolls and even more beautiful sentiments.
I happened upon a huge box of old kokeshi dolls at a flea market in Japan and ended up picking 5 or 6 out of the box to bring home as souvenirs, but I always look back with regret that I didn’t buy the whole box!
These are beautiful and charming and whimsical, all rolled into one. My mother would have loved them and if she were still alive I’d have bought her a few. I might have to get some for myself as a gift from me to her and back to me again.
They are so cute. I will be sure to see the exhibit. I turn 60 on the 20th and the angel would make a great Birthday gift!
What a wonderful way to honor her ancestors. The are beautiful and speak of the grace and simplicity of the Japanese culture. I can’t wait to see them in person
These remind me of Russian nesting dolls, which do have painted on arms, but not 3 dimentional arms. Both are beautiful folk art and Kathy Yoshihara’s art evolves from and honors the tradition.
I was not familiar with kokeshi dolls until I read about them on the CAFAM website. As I see the little angel doll, I’m thinking of an angelic figure, hovering above the the streets on this “carmeggedon” weekend, allowing Southern Californians to get to their intended destinations (including CAFAM) safely!
I love art that spans the centuries and brings modern sensibilities to ancient artifacts. Kathy does this amazingly well. I love the texture and color of this piece.
My first Kokeshi was in the form of a wooden pencil with a small impish wooden Kokeshi attached to the top, she had a silken cord with a tiny brass bell tied to her neck. It was love at first sight,I purchased her with my ‘hard earned money’ at about age nine MANY years ago. My next Kokeshi was a wonderful find in a Thrift Store. She was well loved when I gave her a home,the paint barely visible in some places and my carrying her around only added to the amber glow of the wood.I still have her! I have been hooked ever since I was nine and have purchased many Kokeshi mostly in Thrift Stores (to give them a good home!) and some online. Many are worn, some chipped, but all loved. As an Art Specialist Teacher in an Independent non-profit school I work a Kokeshi lesson into my curriculum anywhere/anytime I can. The children LOVE the Kokeshi. My lessons always include bringing in my collection allowing the children to look at and gently hold the treasured dolls. There is usually a discussion as to which are ‘better’ the old ones or the new ones with agreement that they are all wonderful. In recent years I have started a tradition and given a Kokeshi to a graduating 8th grader as part of my departmental Art award. The look on their faces when they receive the doll is priceless and assures me that the love and respect for Kokeshi will continue.
My grandmother went to Japan to teach English to an important family when she was young in 1915. She lived with them for two years and traveled with them to visit the Emperor. She fell in love with Japan and as a teacher here taught her California students about the beautiful culture she had experienced. It remains a special place in the minds and hearts of her decendants.
I have always been attracted to the Kokeshi dolls. They are charming and simple. A couple of years ago the Japanese American museum had an incredible display of old and new dolls. They continue to be a source of intrigue and beauty.
A beautiful little Japanese angel for the City of Angels.
I WAS GIVEN MY FIRST KOKESHI BY A jAPANESE STUDENT THAT SPENT A SUMMER WITH OUR FAMILY. i HAVE LOVED THEM EVER SINCE. sIMPLICITY AND BEAUTY.
They are so simple but it is so clear that a great deal of time and effort went into making one of these dolls
I had two of these when I was little, plus a tiny one (one centimeter tall). I didn’t mind that they were hard and didn’t have arms, I loved mine and played with them a lot until they were lost in a move.
I love that Kathy Yoshihara is giving them a new look, they look great.
The dolls are simply and beautiful. It really nice to find out the story behind them.
The angel is simple and beautiful. Thank you for starting my morning off with a smile!
Rosalie
I still have a worn kokeshi doll purchased at a “rummage sale” during my childhood. I didn’t know anything about the tradition of the kokeshi but
was intrigued this one because the head screwed off and the body of the doll was hollow. Inside was a rolled up piece of wrinkled paper. I was charmed by the secrecy and mystery. Periodically, I would write thoughts on a small piece of paper and insert them in the “holding chamber”. It was a delightful and hopeful gesture for a young curious girl.
Simple and serene, this artwork of the Kokeshi dolls has a calming and spiritual effect on me. Just beautiful!
will b buy to c the show too. Hi karen lovett!
It’s wonderful to learn about other cultures, especially through their art. This kokeshi doll is a real family treasure that speaks volumes about the Japanese American Issei and Nisei families. Thanks for featuring these dolls.
Thanks for sharing the history behind the Kokeshi dolls. It was very interesting.
Angels of any culture are beautiful. I like Mineko & Mitsuo; the colors are calming and the size is perfect. Looking forward to seeing the exhibit (and yes, I hope I am one of the lucky ones to receive it as a gift!)
These Kathy Yoshihara kokeshi dolls are beautiful. I would love to win the kokeshi angel!
So light and mysterious! Love the minimalist esthetic of their expressions. Can’t wait to see the show.
I have enjoyed seeing Yoshihara’s work in many gallery exhibits, especially the large exhibit on kokeshis, that was @ the Japanese American Museum.
I love the modern approach using different material. Great publicity too! It makes me want to see the show.
Kokeshi dolls give me fond memories of my mother who passed away a few weeks ago. She would give them to me and my sisters as gifts for Christmas…so I have a mini collection of them and they always put a smile on my face whenever I look at them. Love the angel kokeshi…it was meant to be that I saw this link today. I can’t wait to see the exhibit!
To me the Japanese women have always look like dolls to me, so beautiful and delicate and now I can appreciate how they transmit those characteristic to their dolls.
Thank you for sharing your art!
It is inspiring to see that an artist can take anything and create a new perspective of it. True art is when a person can see past what is to what could be.
These dolls evoke vivid memories. I grew up with Russian nesting dolls. As a child they stood on a shelf,one inside the other. I longed for the times my mother would let me take them down ,one at a time and open them up, to reveal identical smaller and smaller dolls.
These are not only beautiful but they are fun. I am sure my daughters would love to have one of these in our home. It would definitely bring a smile to everyone who saw it.