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. Kokeshi, こけし / 小芥子 / 子消し wooden doll .
Legends, Folktales, more
Kokeshi (1) こけし
Miyagi prefecture 宮城県のこけし
Hijiori 肘折（ひじおり）こけし
Naruko Hot Spring なるこ温泉のこけし, Narugo
Sakunami 作並のこけし
Togatta (Toogatta) 遠苅田のこけし（とうがった）
Yajiro 弥次郎こけし
- and further links
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Kokeshi Wooden Dolls こけし （Part ２）
In part 2 we will look at the kokeshi from Aomori prefecture, especially the
Tsugaru area, where many dolls with a Daruma face on the body are made.
Sato San
http://www.yosare.com/kokeshi/sato/sato-010.jpg
First I want to introduce you to an
All Japanese Kokeshi Event held in October 2002 in Kuroishi, Aomori prefecture, at the Museum mentioned next. There is a wonderful slide show of 46 pictures, many of them with
Daruma kokeshi, so take your time while the dolls are passing along. Nrs. 5, 10, 31, 34, 37, 40, 42 and 45 feature Daruma san.
全国伝統こけしの展示会を紹介します。スライドショーですが、52枚のなかで、だるまさんのこけしもあります。ゆっくり見てください。
http://www.yosare.com/kokeshi-fe.htm
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Tsugaru Kokeshi Museum 津軽こけし館
. . . CLICK here for Photos !
More than 4000 kokeshi from all over Japan are exhibited in this museum in Kuroishi. You can also make your own dolls with intstuctions form a master craftsman. The big kokeshi outside is almost 4 meters high and has a Daruma on the body, as you can see on the picture.
There are also some kokeshi painted by the famous woodblock artist
Shiko Munakata exhibited.
全国から集められた表情豊かな４,000本のこけしが展示されている.
棟方志功の描彩こけしも有ります。
〒036-0412 黒石市大字袋字富山72番地1号 TEL:0172-54-8181
http://www.infoaomori.ne.jp/kuroishi_city/Sight_Seeing/Sig_Kokesi.html
http://www.jomon.ne.jp/~kkk/k_kokesi.htm (with an explanation of different types in Japanese 日本語のこけしマメ知識もあります)
http://www.tsugarushu.com/sightseeing/midokoro/kokeshi/ (many pictures of the area)
http://www.infoaomori.ne.jp/kuroishi_city/Sight_Seeing/Sig_Kokesi_Koujin.html
Shiko Munakata has his own memorial museum in Aomori. This HP has a part in English, so please visit it.
青森市に
棟方志功の記念館もあります。
http://www.lantecweb.net/shikokan/
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Kokeshi from Nuruyu 温湯温泉のこけし
These kokeshi dolls originate in the hot spring area of Kuroishi City and are the most famous of Aomori prefecture. At the beginning of the Taisho Era (1911-1925), Hidetaroo Mori 盛秀太郎began making these dolls in the "Nuruyu Onsen" area, which enjoy a deep-rooted popularity even now.
There are many types of kokeshi dolls in the Tohoku region, and the Nuruyu stand out from amongst the rest with their "Ainu" patterns, including the upturned eyebrows and menacing "Daruma" faces, painted on the body, as well as the wide chest and rounded waists. The designs on the body of the dolls are also said to be of the Tsugaru clan’s family crest, featuring the peony.
Currently, kokeshi doll artisans have gathered together to form the "Tsugaru Kokeshi Artisans Group," which focuses on continuing to create traditional, and new types, of dolls.
温湯こけしは、青森を代表するこけしだ。形の特徴はウエストがくびれてスタイルがよいこと。ヘアスタイルはおかっぱだ。服の模様は牡丹が多いようだ。
English and Japanese, 日本語はこちら。
http://www.pref.aomori.jp/dentokougei/nuruyu.htm
Famous Artist from Nuruyu
Hidetaroo Mori (1895 – 1986) 盛秀太郎
He was born and lived all his life in Nuruyu as son of a family of wood craftsmen. He lost both parents at an early age and endured many hardships with his relatives. He started making kokshi with a Daruma on the body, mabye because his family was hit by many misfortunes, his eldest son lost an arm at work, his younger son lost his eyesight and more.
一八九五（明治二十八）～一九八六（昭和六十一）年。南津軽郡山形村温湯（現黒石市温湯）生まれ。木地業の傍ら独力でこけし作りに挑み、津軽系温湯こけしを創始。一九六三（昭和三十八）年、第五回全日本こけしコンクールで名人位に推薦され、国の卓越技能者、県褒賞、県文化賞などに輝き、黒石市無形文化財に指定され、名工とたたえられた。
だるま会報７号にも盛さんのことが詳しく書いて有ります。
Look at one of his Daruma Kokeshi
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Left from Mori Hidetaroo, right from his pupil Okuse
左は盛秀太郎のだるまこけし（高さ13cm）、右はその弟子である奥瀬鉄則のこけし（8寸）。(H16.1.3)
© Collection Saito 佐藤 研 （仙台市）
http://www.ne.jp/asahi/narumi/clinic/gang/gang/gang_fukushima.html
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You can order kokeshi and many other specialities of Aomori on this HP. The small Daruma on the left picture above is available for 2000 Yen, the standing kokeshi with Daruma painted on the body is 4000 Yen.
青森こけしはオンラインでも買えます。
http://www.aomori-bussan.or.jp/htm_tokusanhin/kogeihin_01.htm
. Folk Toys from Aomori .
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Let me introduce two famous kokeshi makers from the area,
Yoshiki Satoo and Muchihide Abo.
Yoshiki Satoo 佐藤佳樹
He learned the craft from his father Zenji, a rather stern teacher, who told him “Do not think about becoming a famous artist fast, but try to become a master craftsman in due course of time.” Some of his Daruma kokeshi come with feet painted on the bottom but in the beginning his father told him: “It is still too early for such an adventure.”
「名工、名人を夢見るな。あわてずに仕事ができる職人になれ」と言った父の言葉を、いつもかみしめています。師匠・父の佐藤善二.
http://www.yosare.com/kokeshi-sa01.htm
Triangular Kiji Daruma
師・善二型の 『
じょっぱりだるま（横にらみ） 』 です。物事を色々な角度から見据える心のゆとりを持つという気持ちも込められています.
From his father Zenji's repertoir: Two oogeling Daruma.
There are many more of his kokeshi on this great page.
http://www.yosare.com/kokeshi-sa03.htm
http://www.infoaomori.ne.jp/komise-eki/kokeshi1.htm
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Muchihide Abo 阿保六知秀
Mr. Abo lives in Kuroishi, close to Hanamaki Town in Aomori prefecture.
When asked about the model for his dolls, he answered: “In the beginning, it was my own face, later that of my wife and right now that of my daughter. But I have the feeling in the end I will be back to my own face”. His teacher was the father of Mr. Satoo.
The colors of his dolls are quite vivid and unusual and the Daruma on the skirt looks quite fierce.
His Daruma in an apple is a typical product of Aomori, which is famous for its large apple plantations. There will be more about
Apple-Darumas in a different story.
こけしの顔のモデルはと尋ねたら 「最初は自分の顔で、次に妻の顔、今は娘の顔かな？、最後は自分の顔に戻るかも・・・・・」
〒036-0413 青森県黒石市大字花巻字花巻34-3 TEL: 0172-54-8865
Yellow Daruma
Look at some great collections of his work. There are plenty more Daruma dolls to see, so take your time.
かれの作品がたくさんあるHPをぜひ見てください。だるまさんがいっぱいあります。
http://www.yosare.com/kokeshi-am03.htm
http://www.yosare.com/kokeshi-am03.htm
http://www.yosare.com/kokeshi-am01.htm
http://www.infoaomori.ne.jp/komise-eki/kokeshi2.htm
The Hot Spring
His brother is Kanemitsu Abo、another kokeshi craftsman.
http://www.ne.jp/asahi/cat/rat/kokesi/tugaru/tugaru_10.htm
The two craftsmen together with others try to make the
biggest kokeshi with a Daruma in front of the Tsugaru Kokeshi Museum in Kuroishi, made from a huge Hiba tree. They started in December 2002 and want to finish in April 2003. I hope to follow up on this story.
青森ヒバの木の幹回りが一・二メートル、高さ二メートル、重さ約七百キロという巨木で、
日本一のだるまこけしを制作する作業が十六日、黒石市袋の津軽こけし館の前庭で地元こけし工人らの手によって始まった。
http://www.mutusinpou.co.jp/news/02121703.html
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On the following very interesting HP in Japanese you find a range of Tsugaru kokeshi, mostly with a Daruma painted on the body. I will show you just two of them, but look at the others too.
Three dolls from the late Mr. Mori, with a typical body shape.
毛利専蔵（故人）
A little disheveled lady was made by Mr. Kitayama. 北山盛治作
http://hb2.seikyou.ne.jp/home/g-136/tugaru1.htm
.. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. Tsugaru Kokeshiki
http://hb2.seikyou.ne.jp/home/g-136/tugaru.htm
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Kokeshi from Hirosaki 弘前こけし
The name “Tsugaru Kokeshi” refers to all dolls produced in Kuroishi City, Owani Town, and Hirosaki City. During the Meiji Era (1867-1911), wood carvers from the Tsugaru area met with those from outside of the prefecture, and from those meetings, the kokeshi doll has become what it is today. The Hirosaki kokeshi doll is grouped in with the Tsugaru kokeshi, which stemmed originally from the Owani kokeshi, which is still produced today.
Along with Kokeshi dolls, top making and Daruma figurine production are among the popular woodcrafts, loved by people of the Tsugaru region.
http://www.pref.aomori.jp/dentokougei/h-kokeshi.htm (日本語)
http://www.hcci.or.jp/yeg/hirosaki/kokeshi.jpg
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Kokeshi from Owani 大鰐温泉こけし
. . . CLICK here for Photos !
At the beginning of the Meiji Era (1867-1911), artisans living in the Nuruyu Onsen area, where the origin of the Tsugaru kokeshi doll lies, moved to the Owani Onsen area, where they began sawing lumber, which they eventually made into kokeshi dolls during the Taisho Era (1911-1925).
Owani Kokeshi dolls are broad-shouldered, with a straight and slender body, on which an iris pattern is painted. The dolls have an innocent expression, evoking a feeling of warmth. The "zuguri" (tops) were first produced at the same time as the kokeshi dolls, and these colourful toys were much-loved by the children of the northern country.
http://www.pref.aomori.jp/dentokougei/owani.htm
My Short Story about one Owani Daruma Kokeshi
http://www.amie.or.jp/daruma/kokeshi-owa-mini.html
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UTOU Carved Daruma Figures 善知鳥彫ダルマ
. . . CLICK here for Photos !
The "Utou" (Uto) carved Daruma figurines were first created by
Katsumi Kon, a strong promoter of the arts in Aomori Prefecture. Inspired by Rodin’s works, he began creating the Darumas in 1921 in order further the production of crafts in the prefecture. The artist named his work after the "uto" bird, which lived in Aomori at that time. These figurines became well known from mid-1945s. They vary from 10 to 50 cm in hight.
They are made from light and flexible poplar and Aomori cypress. A rough piece of wood is cut into a triangular shape, then the face is slightly carved and painted. These Daruma figurines, which seem to stare ahead, are characterized by their lean bodies and red clothing, setting them apart from most Darumas that have chubby faces and round bodies. Their appearance suggests that of Buddhist enlightenment, in which they have emerged from meditation and are about to step on to a higher path.
Pieces of wood that have naturally broken off from trees are used to produce these sculptures to create a unique work of art.
善知鳥彫ダルマは、青森県の文化振興に功績のあった
今克巳氏が、ロダンの作品からヒントを得て、県の工芸品振興のために大正１０年頃より取り組んだのが始まりであり、その昔、青森にいた「善知鳥」という鳥にちなんで名付けられた工芸品である。一般的に知られるようになったのは、昭和２０年の半ばからである。
http://www.pref.aomori.jp/dentokougei/daruma.htm
. Folk Toys from Aomori .
Aomori Dentoo Koogei
The above information comes from a HP about
Traditional Crafts in Aomori. You might like to explore this a little more, since the site has English and Japanese explanations.
青森県の伝統工芸のHPにはもっとたくさんの情報があります。英語と日本語ですので、とても便利です。
http://www.pref.aomori.jp/dentokougei/
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. Join the Kokeshi Gallery of facebook .
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Go on now to read
Kokeshi (3) こけし
Yamagata prefecture 山形のけこし
Sakunami 作並のこけし
Tsuchiyu Hot Spring 土湯温泉
Yonezawa 米沢こけし
Akita prefecture
Kijiyama 木地山
. Folk Toys from Aomori .
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