About Yajiro Kokeshi

Kokeshi are wooden dolls that began to be sold as souvenirs at the hot spring resorts of the Tohoku region in the 19th century (late Edo period).
Toji (hot spring cure) is a traditional Japanese practice in which people stayed for extended periods at hot spring resorts to recover from illness or injury and restore their health. It was believed that the healing powers of hot springs, together with the surrounding natural environment, enhanced the body’s natural ability to heal. In the 19th century, about 90% of Japan’s population were farmers. For those living in the harsh climate of Tohoku, toji was an important seasonal custom—not only for recovering from the fatigue of heavy labor, but also for enjoying social interaction with people both inside and outside their village.
Examples included kan-toji (midwinter cures in late January), doro-otoshi toji (bathing after rice planting to wash away mud and fatigue), and doyo-no-ushi toji (summer cures around late July and August). People often went on toji trips two or three times a year to refresh both body and mind. Against this backdrop, woodturners (kijishi) began to settle in hot spring areas. Through direct interaction with toji visitors, they learned of their needs and began producing wooden toy dolls—what came to be known as kokeshi.

The raw material of kokeshi is wood. Logs are cut, thoroughly dried, and then sawn into pieces suitable for the intended doll size. The most important tool in the production process is the lathe (rokuro), which spins the wood while it is carved into shape. Painting, waxing, and other finishing touches are also performed on the lathe.
The rokuro, which rotates the wood, enables artisans to work the material efficiently while achieving a perfectly balanced form. This “spinning process” lies at the very heart of traditional kokeshi-making techniques.

Traditional kokeshi styles differ by region, and today 11 lineages are recognized. Five of these are found in Miyagi Prefecture, including the Yajiro kokeshi, which originated in Shiroishi.
The most distinctive feature of Yajiro kokeshi is its large head, decorated with vivid concentric lathe patterns—often double or triple rings—at the crown. These patterns resemble a beret and leave a strong impression on the viewer. Another hallmark is the torso design, which frequently features broad lathe rings or combinations of rings and floral motifs, resulting in colorful and highly individual decorations.

In 1981, Miyagi Kokeshi met the criteria established under Japanese law and was officially designated a “Traditional Craft” by the Japanese government.
However, challenges remain in the field of traditional crafts, such as the long training period required to master the techniques and the declining demand for the products, which makes it difficult to secure and train successors. To address this, the government established the Dento Kogeishi (Master of Traditional Craft) qualification exam for artisans engaged in designated crafts. Those who pass are certified as Masters of Traditional Craft. These artisans are few in number, possessing exceptional skill and experience, and are truly worthy of the title “master.”
Currently, there are 12 certified Masters of Traditional Craft specializing in Miyagi Kokeshi, four of whom are based in Shiroishi City (as of February 2025).

Traditional kokeshi are defined as dolls with a systematic lineage, clear master–apprentice relationships, and original models created by the craftsmen themselves. For this reason, opportunities to receive direct instruction from a certified Master of Traditional Craft are extremely rare.