Culture BlogA blog on all things cultural…

Synonymous with Japanese culture, kokeshi dolls have been produced in Japan since the Japanese Edo period (1600-1868).  They were first made by Kiji-shi (wood artisans) in the Miyagi Prefecture in north Japan.  These artisans specialised in producing household utensils for the local people but began making small wooden dolls to sell to tourists who came to visit the hot springs in the country.  And thus, the kokeshi doll was born!

Over time these hot springs became popular with visitors and grew into spa resorts.  With this influx of tourists demand for Kokeshi dolls

An example of a traditional kokeshi doll

increased and production grew until they were eventually being made across other spa areas in the Tōhoku Region.

An interesting fact is that the dolls were originally known by many different names.  It wasn’t until the All-Japan Kokeshi Exhibition in Naruko Onsen, August 1939 that the term ‘kokeshi’ was agreed upon to become the official name of the dolls.

Kokeshi dolls are handmade from wood, have a simple trunk and an enlarged head.  Some are painted with fine lines to define facial features.  These simple designs have been passed down through many generations of kokeshi artisans and those familiar with the dolls are able to ascertain the towns and cities from where individual dolls are produced.

Originally the kokeshi dolls took a simple form and long cylindrical bodies.  Known as the traditional kokeshi, these dolls featured no arms or legs and had rounded heads.  Their kimonos were either carved or painted with an array of different designs which all tended to be simple.  They were covered with a layer of wax to help protect them from aging and also to give them a nice sheen.

Eventually the traditional kokeshi designs were an inspiration for a new breed of ‘creative kokeshi’.  Developed after the Second World War these dolls feature more complex designs.  Many of the dolls have hair, wear more elaborately designed kimonos, feature more expression on their faces and come in a wide variety of shapes and sizes.  The creative kokeshi dolls can be found in all Japanese cities however, the majority come from the Gunma Prefecture.

An example of a creative kokeshi doll

Kokeshi dolls are made from a variety of different woods but the majority are made from cherry or mizuko.  Cherry kokeshi dolls are distinguished for their dark appearance, whilst mizuko kokeshi dolls are lighter in colour.  Regardless of the wood the kokeshi dolls are made from the wood is left to season for up to five years before it is used to make the dolls.  This ensures the wood has matured and the kokeshi dolls will be made as perfect as possible by the artisan!

Today, the kokeshi doll is considered a folk art in Japan.  They are highly regarded around the country so much so that since 1954 the Prime Minister of Japan has awarded an annual prize for the best creative kokeshi design.

What started life as a small ornamental doll sold to the odd tourist has grown into a huge industry which now symbolises Japanese culture.  And, although the demand for the dolls has increased the craftsmanship that goes into making them has not deteriorated; the dolls are not mass produced on production lines but are still made by  hand from artisans that have learned the craft from past generations.

If you would like to see some creative kokeshi dolls please follow the link.

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For such a simple looking instrument there are numerous techniques that can be adopted when playing a bodhran. Starting with the most simple of playing methods, play can grow more complex when experience has been gained. This article will explain the basic technique that can be used for playing a bodhran. Many people mistakenly believe that to play a bodhran it simply involves hitting it at random to produce a sound. If only it were this easy! In fact, there are various strokes that need to be taken into account as well as rhythm, arrangement and sound dynamics.

An example of a bodhran drum

It is best to play a bodhran drum whilst seated. This enables you to keep it steady by balancing it on your knee and support it with you upper body and arm. Whilst the bodhran is balanced upon the knee it needs to be supported by placing one hand against the skin behind the drum. Some bodhran’s have a crossbar at the rear of them which can be used to support them. The pressure placed upon the skin by the hand controls the pitch and tone of the sound. Moving the hand from the centre of the drum towards the rim will also produce a higher pitch.

The free hand uses the tipper to strike the drum. Depending upon where in Ireland the Bodhran is being played, the style of the strike varies. The most common method of playing is the ‘Kerry’ style which will be the style we will explore below.

For the basic stroke only the smaller end of the tipper comes into contact with the bodhran. Hold the tipper the same way that you would hold a pen. Twist the arm gently from side to side (almost like you are shaking a tin) being careful not to bend the wrist. Make an arc movement with the tipper so that the head of the tipper hits the drum once on the way down and again on the way up. This is the basic stroke and, with practice you should be able to keep a regular rhythm, tone and volume.

With experience, the stroke can grow more complex so that during the ark movements the upper head can be used to add extra beats between the strokes. It may be beneficial to practice your playing with other musicians who can help you to keep in time with the music.

When using the bodhran to play along with music, the player must time their strikes to the rhythm of the beat. However, the make their playing more expressive the player can syncopate the weaker beats, add double pulses and take ‘rests’ between beats. There are many combinations that can be used for every song; it’s only limited by imagination!

To avoid risk of strain when playing the bodhran it is important that the wrist is kept straight when striking the drum. If it does start to hurt, stop playing and do some hand stretching exercises. If this still doesn’t relieve the pain then put the drum down for the remainder of the day and come back to it another time.

Please visit the following link if you are interested in viewing our bodhran.

You may find this tutorial of interest if you would like to advance your playing technique.

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You may reproduce the content of this article onto your own website. However, to do so you must include a link back to HandcraftedUK. Thank you.