Miyagi Kokeshi Dolls

It is said that these dolls were made to sell to people visiting the hot springs in the north east of the country from the middle of the Edo period (1600-1868). Five kinds of traditional dolls are produced in Miyagi Prefecture itself, namely naruko kokeshi, sakunami kokeshi, toogatta kokeshi, yajiro kokeshi, and hijiori kokeshi.

These highly appealing dolls with their extremely simplified form comprising only a head and body, have a charm and beauty all their own, given to them by creators, who are both honest and innocent, working surrounded by the natural beauty of the mountain villages in this area of Japan.
With 100 firms employing 135 staff, among whom 18 are government recognized Master Craftsmen, the craft continues to delight, not only in Japan but in many corners of the world.