Japanese souvenirs, Tsugaru Kokeshi

Kokeshi are traditional Japanese wooden dolls with large heads, simplified bodies, and no arms or legs. The wide variety of models and the fact that they're now ubiquitous in Japan, usually creates the impression that they have been around since the old times... Actually, the kokeshi dolls first appeared in the Tōhoku region, originally sold by local craftsmen as souvenirs for onsen visitors, and they began to spread around the country during the Meiji Period.

However, even today the original traditional kokeshi are those from Tōhoku, produced in 11 styles, with different patterns and shapes... Photographed here is the Tsugaru kokeshi, one of these 11 styles, originating from Kuroishi City.