Japanese Kokeshi Doll with Blue Kimono

Japanese Kokeshi Doll with Blue Kimono. Made in Japan. In good condition with a little wear on which includes tiny spots and scratches. Approximately 4.5 inches tall, widest part which is head is about 8 inches around it and base measured across it is 1.25 inches. What is Kokeshi? Kokeshi are simple wooden Japanese dolls with no arms or legs that have been crafted for more than 150 years as a toy for children. Originally from the northeastern region (Tōhoku-chihō) of Japan, they are handmade from wood, having a simple trunk and head with a few thin, painted lines to define the face. The body often has floral and/or ring designs painted in red, black, and sometimes green, purple, blue, or yellow inks, and covered with a layer of wax. One characteristic of kokeshi dolls is their lack of arms or legs. Since the 1950s, kokeshi makers have signed their work, usually on the bottom and sometimes on the back.