KOKESHI DOLLS 
A kokeshi is a simple and cute wooden doll. This type of doll originated in the Northeastern part of Japan. They were first made by wood workers in the mountain regions for children. Gradually, an artistic sense was added to the dolls. The Kokeshi doll has a round smooth head and a cylindrical body. It has no hands or legs. The eyes, eyebrows, nose and mouth are painted on the round head. The body is decorated mainly with floral or other bright designs. At first the colors used were only black and red, but recently assorted colors have come into use. The value of the kokeshi is mainly decided by the way the face is painted. Depending on the district and the maker, the shape of the eyes, nose and mouth are different. Many travelers buy kokeshi dolls as souvenirs. Some people collect the various kinds of dolls as a hobby.
This way to my kokeshi auctions!
This way to my store- Kokeshi Station!
FACTS ABOUT JAPAN:
Why is wrapping purchases and gifts so important to Japanese?
Whether a clerk in a store wrapping a purchase for a customer, or someone wrapping a gift for a friend, almost any Japanese will exercise considerable care to ensure that a present is appropriately "dressed" in a way that shows appreciation for its recipient. For example, it is not unusual for a store clerk to wrap an already-wrapped item in the wrapping paper of the store and then put it into a paper shopping bag. Although department stores are showing slightly more environmental consiousness by cutting down on wrapping, they are often afraid to cut back too much, for fear that customers will not feel sufficiently "appreciated."
On a formal occasion such as a wedding, a gift to a friend is always wrapped once, then covered with a sheet of white paper. It is then wrapped with paper strings called mizuhiki. One then writes on the paper not the recepient's name, but one's own, so that the recepient will know whom it is from. This is important because it is not customary to open presents in the presence of the giver.
VIEW:
Flowers from my garden 
Postage Stamps 
Celebrities in Japanese TV Commercials
My husband's animal friend
Ty Japan-Exclusive beanies
Index (Tempura page, Windchimes, Holidays, etc)
Note: Thanks to Little House Graphics for the beautiful Background & graphics. Thanks to Charles E. Tuttle Publishing Co., especially to Bella Katz, for the permission to use excerpts from one of their books. You may visit Links Page for links to their websites, as well as other Japan-related links. Thank you for dropping by. Before moving on, pls. sign my guestbook. Arigato.
|
Read
my Dreambook! Sign my Dreambook! |
|
(C) 1997 carojpn2002@yahoo.com