Tag: wood

My Kokeshi Collection

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I didn’t set out to start collecting kokeshi ( 小芥子, こけし) dolls, but let’s be realistic — if you’re in any way involved in Japanese traditional arts it’s going to happen eventually. Whether it be gifts, souvenirs, impulse purchases, or any other myriad options, these charming little figurines will find their way into your heart and your home.

I’ve already posted about my Kimmidolls, which are a more modern Australian take on kokeshi-style figures, but as my actual kokeshi collection continues to grow, thanks in no small part to this incredible mystery bundle I got from the Los Angeles Toy, Doll and Amusements Museum, I figured it was time I gave these lovely ladies (and occasional gentleman) their moment in the spotlight.

Dento (Traditional) Kokeshi

Starting with the classic Tohoku-style lathe kokeshi most folks are familiar with, and including regional variations and tourist souvenir types. These tend to have the most “vintage” style faces and decorations.

Traditional Togatta (遠刈田)-style kokeshi

gifted by a local kimono vendor in Montreal, QC
 Yukinko (雪ん子) – Child in Snow kokeshi

LATDA kokeshi mystery box
 Koke-shoe? Yukinko (雪ん子) – Child in Snow kokeshi

LATDA kokeshi mystery box
Three Fude (筆こけし) – Ink Brush kokeshi

LATDA kokeshi mystery box
 Tall stylish kokeshi with packages and hat

LATDA kokeshi mystery box
 Tall skinny kokeshi

LATDA kokeshi mystery box
Twin girl kokeshi-nodda (nodding/bobble head)

gifted by restaurant owners in Montreal, QC
 Charming pair of kokeshi-nodda (nodding/bobble head)

LATDA kokeshi mystery box
 Couple on wooden base

LATDA kokeshi mystery box
Adorable small kokeshi with landscape

LATDA kokeshi mystery box
 Small kokeshi with charming crab motif

LATDA kokeshi mystery box

Sosaku (Modern) Kokeshi

Still crafted by Japanese artisans, these fall under the modern style that became popular in the fifties and sixties. Their designs are more fluid, the shapes are more organic. This is personally my favourite style. I love how shapely they are, and tend to have an excellent and comforting feel when held.

Ume kokeshi with interesting shape, unmarked

thrifted in Oak Glen, CA
 Slender Usaburo kokeshi

thrifted in Montreal, QC
 Petite kokeshi with bob, unmarked

gifted by a friend
Carved kimono kokeshi by Takamizawa Kazuo

LATDA kokeshi mystery box
 Hanakasumi kokeshi by Artforum

gifted by a friend
 Diminutive unpainted round kokeshi

gifted by a friend

Alternative Kokeshi

These may include Japanese dolls that don’t fit elsewhere or kokeshi-inspired art dolls from around the world.

Kokeshi stacking block toys by House Industries x Uncle Goose

purchased on Etsy
 Kokeshi stacking block toys by House Industries x Uncle Goose

purchased on Etsy
 Kokeshi stacking block toys by House Industries x Uncle Goose

purchased on Etsy
Kokeshi stacking block toys by House Industries x Uncle Goose

purchased on Etsy
 Kokeshi stacking block toys by House Industries x Uncle Goose

purchased on Etsy
 Elegant kokeshi by Canadian artist Christiane Bissonnette

thrifted in Montreal, QC
Frida Kahlo art doll Kokeshi by Lucie Kaas

purchased at Palm Springs Art Museum gift shop

Kokeshi-style trinket box, girl

purchased at Palm Springs Vintage Market
 Kokeshi-style trinket box, boy

purchased at Palm Springs Vintage Market
Mass-produced tourist kokeshi I bought because it looked like me in this outfit.

purchased in Montreal QC’s Chinatown district
 Teeeeny Tiny Kokeshi. You can view a close-up here. This one lives in this diorama now.

gifted by a friend

I do intend to get full 360 video of each of these beauties, since some of them have writing or fun details on alternate sides, but that’s a project for when I have more free time.

Because I am nothing if not shameless, I do have a wishlist of easily-available kokeshi on Amazon right now too. I am also on the hunt for the Usaburo Kuromi and may snag her soon, as well as Lucie Kaas Vincent Van Gogh but it’s not available at any North American retailers I can find at the moment.

Review – Pagoda Lantern kit from One Man One Garage

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Since we’re all trapped inside for the foreseeable future, it feels like a great time to share this fun little DIY project I found from a wonderful Etsy shop, One Man, One Garage! I purchased this back during the great bedroom flood debacle and assembled it when I needed a meditative little break; it was absolutely perfect.

One Man, One Garage creates laser-cut wood craft kits. All you have to do is carefully pop the pieces out of each board and assemble them, following the numbers etched into each piece. Instructions are provided online, but I honestly didn’t need them. This kit, despite looking incredibly intricate when complete, was very intuitive and smartly-designed. While not all the designs in this shop are Japanese in nature, this pagoda lantern caught my eye immediately and I knew I wanted to share it with you! Look how beautiful it is once it’s all lit up! The shop says it’s safe to use a tealight candle, but I’ve used an LED one here just in case.

It arrived tightly sealed, which helped keep all the pieces snug. This way there’s no risk of breakage. There was also a sweet little hand-signed postcard included, which is a personal touch that I really love when dealing with small artisan shops like this.

 

The only flaw I found in the kit was a very minor one, and I suspect a one-off issue. One of the laser cuts didn’t seem to have gone fully through the wood, which resulted in a bit of difficulty removing a piece. A tiny fragment broke off one end, but it wasn’t enough to impede assembly and it’s not even visible now that it’s all put together. I’m sure if I had contacted the shop they would have worked with me to sort it out, but it was such a tiny problem that I didn’t feel like it was worth bringing up. I just wanted to mention it here in the interest of being thorough.

Overall, this was a very fun, quick, and relaxing little craft. I love how it looks with the light in it, and I’m definitely going to be buying the Zen Garden kit (how utterly adorable is the little maneki neko?!) once I’m back at work and have some cash to spare. 🙂

 I purchased this item myself and chose to review it.