Photo by Sakurai Kokeshi
Photo by Sakurai Kokeshi
Photo by Sakurai Kokeshi
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Sakurai Kokeshi has produced handcrafted wooden kokeshi dolls for more than a century. These dolls originated in hot springs communities as toys for Tohoku children. Fifth-generation master Akihiro continues to produce traditional Naruko kokeshi while exploring what modern kokeshi can be with contemporary colors, patterns and shapes. This three-time All-Japan Kokeshi Festival Best Kokeshi Award winner has recently begun to introduce kokeshi to Europe, exhibiting at the Maison et Objet design fair in Paris and organizing a kokeshi-making exhibition in Milan.
The Sakurai Kokeshi store sells a number of kokeshi varieties, all painted by hand in the adjoining workshop. The Heritage Series are crafted in the style of Akihiro's predecessors. The Naruko Series feature Naruko Onsen's representative chrysanthemum flower motifs and facial style. The complex Hiina dolls are an innovative reimagining of hina-ningyo (court noble dolls) as kokeshi. Finally, the Reflections series sports modern colors and geometric patterns designed to complement contemporary European homes.
Visitors to Sakurai Kokeshi can even try their hand at painting their own kokeshi for ¥1,800 upon request.
Sakurai Kokeshi is where I first started to appreciate the art of kokeshi. Their English-language booklet and variety of dolls on display helped me see the differences in their shapes and designs. It was hard to believe that each fine detail is painted by hand until I watched Akihiro do it in front of me. As there are a variety of sizes, I was able to find small ones to give to friends as souvenirs from northern Japan.
WEBSITEhttps://sakuraikokeshi.jp/
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Northern Miyagi
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