kokeshi are wooden dolls that originate from north-eastern japan. they emerged as a folk craft over 150 years ago in rural hot spring mountain villages to supplement business and keep workers' hands busy during the winter months. each doll was turned on a lathe, then hand painted with a unique design in water based inks.

they are believed to bring good luck to the owner, represent the wish for a healthy child, and to bring children closer to the mountain spirits. in the villages where kokeshi were made, they were often given as gifts on the birth of a child (rather like the way we give teddy bears as gifts to newborns nowadays), with the baby's name painted on the reverse of the body. styles and designs of kokeshi have became increasingly diverse, and kokeshi began to evolve from being a quaint folk toy -to become an ornament and covetable collectors' item.

small - 23cm

medium - 30cm

large - 35cm

extra large - 45cm

each set of measurements is an approximate guide, as each old hand made doll is unique in size, shape, and design. dust gently with a dry cloth to protect the water based ink design.