A Cute Kokeshi for Your Needlework

Story

A charming pincushion made with traditional techniques from northern Japan. In snowy Tsugaru, woodworkers started carve small dolls called kokeshi as souvenirs for tourists to the region's famous hot springs.

Kuroishi city of Aomori, the birthplace of Tsugaru Kokeshi, recently founded the Tsugaru Kokeshi Museum to immortalize the region's wood crafts as well as to spur innovation and development on existing themes. We collaborated with the museum to produce this modern, functional twist on the traditional kokeshi doll.

We adopted the traditional sleek shape and bobbed hair of the kokeshi, interpreted in Cohana's signature colors: yellow, pink, green and blue.
Each doll opens to reveal a hidden pincushion and comes with three quality needles from Meboso Hachirobei Shoten.
The doll's base is magnetic to easily pick up fallen pins and needles. 

Producing Regions

Aomiri, Ishikawa 

Producers

Kokeshi Doll｜Kokeshi Doll Studio tsuN'agaru／Aomori

Kuroishi City, Aomori Prefecture is the birthplace of Tsugaru Kokeshi dolls. They contribute to the development of Tsugaru kokeshi by exhibiting and selling kokeshi dolls, giving production demonstrations, and holding events. They also contribute to establish ties with traditional kokeshi doll makers and artists not only from Tsugaru but also from all over Japan, and is also working to develop Kokeshi dolls into new works of art.

Materials

Body: Wood (Mizuki), Wool, Silicon rubber, Neodymium magnet
Needle: Steel