Kokeshi are traditional dolls that come from the Tohoku region of Japan, with origins in the Edo period. They’re simple wooden figures, with just a round head and a long, straight torso. The kokeshi from each production area have their own unique features. These dolls enjoyed a brief period in the spotlight during the “kokeshi boom” of the late 1960s, but they are no competition for the high-tech toys that own the hearts and minds of children today.
Interview by Takafumi Suzuki
Translation by Claire Tanaka
I don’t think people these days are too familiar with kokeshi dolls. Could you tell me a bit about the current state of the kokeshi business?
Well, let me see. We don’t sell them as much as we used to. Back in the late 1960s and early 70s, there was a kokeshi boom you know, but originally kokeshi were made by carpenters who made bowls, trays, and Buddhist altar-related goods, as a toy in their spare time. If you search for the origin, you’ll find that it goes back to the Edo Period. There isn’t much historical documentation. Back then, they didn’t have many toys, so they were made as a sort of toy for children.
A lot of hot spring towns in the Tohoku region seem to be production centers for kokeshi. Is there any connection between kokeshi and hot springs?
Firstly, kokeshi originated in the Tohoku region. They were sold as souvenirs to people who came to the hot springs to be healed. In my grandfather and father’s time, they sold so many that they couldn’t keep up with the demand.
So, you mean you aren’t doing so well now?
That’s right. It’s not like the old days. That’s why I’m trying to come up with new ideas. Use the kokeshi-making techniques to make a Tigers daruma, hina ningyo, koi nobori, and so on. And I get my young artisans to come up with new ideas too.
How many artisans do you have working for you?
I’ve got two young ones. They’re about 28. They’ve been working here for about ten years, so they’re very good. I get them to come up with new ideas, and they enjoy their work. If you don’t enjoy your work, then it’s no fun for anyone…
It seems like the kokeshi industry is on tough times, but what are your thoughts on finding someone to take over the shop from you when you’re gone?
I really would like my son to take over the shop. But now, he’s going to university in Tokyo. I’ve got three children: my son and his two older sisters.
Does your son seem inclined to become a kokeshi artisan?
I don’t know about that. You see, he’s learning something rather unique at university in Tokyo. He’s studying piano. I sent all three of my children to piano lessons, but he was the one who liked it the best. He’s better than average at playing the piano, so I figured I’d send him to music school. The best and brightest in the country all go to Tokyo, so figured at the very least, he’d get a taste of the real world. Plus, he’d be able to make friends who have the same interests as he does.
I suppose there aren’t many places around here who still stick to the tradition of having the oldest son take over the family business?
I suppose so. I certainly don’t plan on forcing him to take it over. In my generation, it was taken as a matter of course that I would take over my father’s business. But now, things are different. Naruko used to be the place that sold the most kokeshi out of the whole Tohoku region. At one point, there were fifty, maybe sixty people making kokeshi here. Now there’s half that. Not even thirty people, I’d say.
Mr. Matsuda, had you always planned on becoming a kokeshi artisan, ever since you were a child?
Well, I always figured I’d take over the business someday. But I also went to Tokyo and studied design for several years. I had studied lettering and thought it was quite fun, and after that, I really got into the art of Tadanori Yokoo and Shigeo Fukuda, and I thought I’d like to be like them. But once I went to Tokyo, the level of people there, it was totally different. I realised “Wow, it must be really hard to make enough to put food on the table doing this.” But I’m really glad I was able to go and study what I was interested in, and make friends through my studies in design. That’s why I decided to let my son do what he wants, and in the end if he can’t make a living playing the piano, he can decide for himself what to do after that. He could make kokeshi, or he could think of something new.
So, did you learn to make kokeshi from your father?
No, my father is a difficult man. He doesn’t really talk much. So I didn’t really want to ask him how to make them, you know? (bitter laugh) I asked my grandfather instead. He was so good with his hands and anything he made always turned out well. It was easy to ask him questions too. But it was my father’s idea to sell the kokeshi we made right here in the mountains. “It’s the era of the automobile!” he said, and he built a parking lot. I respect him for that.
Listening to your story, the tough reality of the current kokeshi situation really hits home. Amongst all this, what part of your work really makes you happy these days?
You need special skills to make kokeshi, but it’s rather simple, straightforward work. You could say that’s what makes it hard. You’ve got to find something to bring you joy when you’re making kokeshi day in and day out. That’s where you’ve got to think. If you’re going to do it, you might as well enjoy yourself. That’s one reason to come up with new ideas. And when customers buy a kokeshi and are pleased with it and come back again, there’s nothing better than the feeling I get from that.
Now finally, is there anything you’d like to say to the world about kokeshi dolls?
No, nothing in particular. I’d just like to preserve the kokeshi tradition for the next generation, that’s all.
Matsuda Kobo
Kaminaruko 126-10, Naruko-cho, Tamatsukuri-gun, Miyagi
Tadao Matsuda
Third generation owner of Matsuda Kobo, kokeshi artisan.
31 Comments
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PingMag MAKE is the sister site to PingMag. We use an interview format to put the spotlight on a wide range of people active in rural areas. We document the voices of these unknown heroes and broadcast them to the world. It’s the Japan-based magazine about people and making things, coming out once a week. We’re passing on the passion, ideas, skills, and life stories of people who are building today and exploring tomorrow: craftsmen, engineers, entrepreneurs, and inventors. Stay tuned!
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how about adding function to the kokeshi. turning it into a container or such.
Posted by: m satoh on July 30th, 2008 at 9:34 am
I love Kokeshi dolls! What a fascinating story, I love Matsuda’s attitude on life. Thank you for the article
Posted by: Anonymous on July 30th, 2008 at 11:47 pm
they’re beautiful! i like the other commentor’s idea of using them as containers. thank you for the article.
Posted by: Lucymarie on August 3rd, 2008 at 11:15 am
What a fantastic piece. Kiboko have been my passion forever. They are the apex of Japanese elegance and simplicity…and they have a soul. For m.satch: Some kokeshi ARE functional, tooled as containers, cylinders or round boxes. Look for one, and when you get it, you may begin to get other varieties too
Posted by: AnonymII on August 19th, 2008 at 2:44 am
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Posted by: fresh:touch » Blog Archive » lucky dolls & kokeshis : puces et kokeshis on September 1st, 2008 at 3:56 pm
This is very interesting and the dolls are wonderful.
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