Japanese Kokeshi Dolls

Kokeshi are dolls that originated from the Tohoku region of Northern Japan. They are made of wood and characterised by a round trunk and head, with no limbs. They are reported to have first been made during the Edo period (1600 – 1868) and sold to visitors to the hot springs in the area. They may have been designed and first used as a massage tool. My first purchase was love at first sight, a doll with a top knot described as having been made in the 1960s. From there the collection grew and now these lovelies are being sold individually in my Etsy shop.