Japan Folk Craft - Kokeshi Dolls

Kokeshi is the traditional Japanese doll. Their shapes and patterns are particular to a certain area and are classified under different types including: Tsuchiyu, Togatta, Yajiro, Naruko, Sakunami, Yamagata, Kijiyama, Nanbu, Tsugaru, Zao-takayu, and Hijioro. The most popular one is the Naruko, which you can see in the photo.

Naruko kokeshi are distinguished by their sharp shoulders. But as you see in photo, the newer style is with rounded shoulders. Another feature of this doll is when turned its head, it makes a squeaking sound. This is the only doll among all types of kokeshi that does so.

As you see in the photo, there are some baby-dolls at the right hand side called Ejiko doll. Ejiko refers to baskets. In the past, farmer took their babies to work with them and place them in baskets near them while working. And Ejiko doll is exactly a baby-doll in a basket.

Japan Folk Craft - Daruma

Daruma is a armless, legless, and eyeless doll. It is made of chewed paper (張り子), weighted on the bottom so it always stand up, even when pushed. This has the meaning of standing up positively even if failing, and has the meaning of reaching the objective.

Moreover, the design such as pine, bamboo and plum are traditionally considered as symbols of happiness and always appears in congratulatory occasions. Cranes and turtles are given to the pattern of the face which implies that good fortune is from the old times till now.

The traditional color used to be red. But nowadays, there are many different kinds of color to refers to different aspect of fortunes. It's widely used for praying good luck for elections, exam or work. When they make a wish, they will draw an eye for the damura. Once the wish come true, they will draw another eye.

Japan Tradition Craft - Akabeko (Red Bull?)

Akabeko (赤ベコ) is a toy which is a traditional good-luck charm of Aizu (会津). Beko is Aizu dialect for cow. Therefore, Akabeko literally means red cow in Japanese.

Japan Folk Craft - Daruma

撮影場所：浅草　羽子板市

Japan Folk Art - 市松人形

撮影場所：浅草　羽子板市

Japan Folk Art - 羽子板

撮影場所：浅草　羽子板市

In the Bunsei Era (1804-1829) of the Edo Period (1603 -1868), the local community culture saw its great renaissance. Many ukiyoe artists were active and Hagoita (羽子板) with kabuki actors on stage gained much popularity. With the prosperity of the kabuki theater, people had become familiar with paddles. Later on it developed as a good luck charm to celebrate the growth of girls for New Years.