Northern Miyagi

Sakurai Kokeshi

桜井こけし店 | Sakurai Kokeshi

Innovative and traditional kokeshi from one of Japan's oldest kokeshi studios

Photo by Sakurai Kokeshi

Photo by Sakurai Kokeshi

Photo by Sakurai Kokeshi

Photo by Sakurai Kokeshi

  • Roger Smith

    Writer & Inaugural editor

    Last Update
    October 6, 2023

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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/

  • Northern Miyagi

    Tags

    Art & Culture Do & See Naruko & Osaki Northern Miyagi Shopping

Details

ADDRESS

26 Yumoto, Naruko-onsen, Osaki, Miyagi, 989-6823, Japan

ACCESS BY PUBLIC TRANSIT

5-minute walk from Naruko-Onsen Station (Rikuu-East line)

CREDIT CARDS

Accepted

LANGUAGES

Limited English

HANDICAP ACCESSIBLE

No

HOURS

Weekdays 10:00-17:30  Weekends and holidays: 9:30am-5:30pm

RESERVATION

Recommended for kokeshi-painting experience during busy periods such as holidays

CLOSED DAYS

None

PHONE

0229-87-3575

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