Yajiro Kokeshi Village, Miyagi Prefecture
Discover kokeshi doll history, traditions, and craftsmanship
Two hours from Sendai near the Samurai town of Shiroishi lies the charming hamlet of Yajiro Kokeshi Village.
The kokeshi doll, born in the Tohoku region first as a toy, took on new life as an item travelers visiting the hot springs of the region would take back with them as a souvenir. Yajiro kokeshi shares this same history. Created in the Kamasaki Onsen hot springs village of Shiroishi, Miyagi, they are counted among the traditional kokeshi dolls of Miyagi Prefecture.
Distinctive characteristics of Yajiro kokeshi include a large head and vividly colored stripes painted in sets of two or three on the body and head. Originally made as a children’s toy, the dolls are now widely purchased and appreciated by adults as objects for viewing.
In this experience, you will get the chance to not only hear a special explanation by a kokeshi doll artisan, but also observe their techniques at work during a demonstration in their workshop. Visitors will also get to paint their own original kokeshi doll using the same kind of brushes and electric lathe the artisans themselves use.
Schedule
Exhibition room viewing
In the exhibition room, kokeshi dolls from each area of the Tohoku region, not just Yajiro kokeshi, are on display. You will be able to appreciate the regional differences with your own eyes. Listen to a valuable explanation from one of the artisans about the history, process of making Yajiro kokeshi, and their many charms.
Workshop visit
Watch artisans at work in the Yajiro kokeshi workshop. Observing the detailed processes and techniques the artisans use—things which aren’t usually possible to see—visitors will come to understand and appreciate kokeshi dolls more deeply. Then, visit the gift shop where kokeshi dolls just made by our artisans can be purchased.
*During the workshop visit, it is also possible to paint a koma top while spinning it on a lathe.
Kokeshi doll painting experience
Move to the Chuo Kenshu room on the second floor of the Honkan building of Yajiro Kokeshi Village, where you can paint kokeshi doll. Using the same type of brushes and electric lathe that artisans use, use a lathe to paint lines on the doll body, and paint the doll head in the vivid colors characteristic of Yajiro kokeshi.
Learn the fundamental painting techniques from an artisan, then, making use of colors and your imagination, freely paint an original design on your very own kokeshi doll.
*Please be aware that the order of the aforementioned activities may vary depending on conditions on date of tou
Experience Snapshot
What's Included
Demonstration viewing fee, painting experience instruction fee, facility use fee, arrangement fee
Cost
Please inquire below.
Experience Availability
Available April to January
*Excepting Wednesdays and the New Year’s holiday period (December 29–January 1).
Average Duration
2 hours
Participants
From 2-10 guests.
Meeting Location
Yajiro Kokeshi Village, Miyagi Prefecture
Important notes
Reservation availability may vary. Reserve to confirm availability.
Please notify us at least 3 days before if you must cancel or modify your reservation.
Requests for reservations for this experience must be made at least five weeks in advance.
Inquire about a kokeshi doll workshop today
You can send a booking inquiry below. After we receive your inquiry, we will confirm the booking with our partners and send you a booking confirmation email at least two weeks before your desired date.
Please note this form does not confirm the availability of the experience.
Cancelation policy
Our cancelation policy for this experience is below.
7 days before date of experience
30% of total price
2-6 days before date of experience
40% of total price
1 day before date of experience
50% of total price
Same day
50% if notification provided before start time; 100% of total price if provided after or no-show
