Kokeshi Doll

One thing that I have always noticed as an Early Childhood Educator is that parents tend to make a greater issue out of toy preference than children do. Children will play with anything and I have seen girls love trucks and army toys and I have seen boys love toys like My Little Ponies and other traditional girl toys.

A toy that seems to be a big hit for both boys and girls is a doll. Every child loves dolls, especially if they tend to have a more whimsical or baby-like appearance. But what does this have to do with Kokeshi Dolls?

Well, all children would love a Kokeshi Doll, whether it is an authentic Kokeshi Doll or one that they made. If you are unaware of these dolls, a Kokeshi Doll is a traditional wooden doll that can be found in Japan. Generally, Kokeshi Dolls only have two parts to them, the head, which is a large round shape and the body, which is almost a thick dowel shape. The beauty of the Kokeshi Doll is not in the overall shape but in the details that are painted on the dolls.

There are two styles of Kokeshi Dolls and they are the Dento Kokeshi Dolls, which are the more traditional dolls that follow certain guidelines when it comes to decoration, and Sousaku Kokeshi Dolls, which are the dolls where artists can be creative and do whatever they choose to do with the dolls.

Most children will make the Sousaku Kokeshi Dolls but you could provide some traditional dolls for examples of the beauty of the dolls.

What you need:

• Dowel rod: You can pick these up at various home supply stores and you can find different widths of dowel. I suggest one that is 2 to 3 inches in diameter but use thinner dowels to create Kokeshi Doll Ornaments. Cut the ornaments to about 3 to 5 inches in length
• Wooden Balls: Another item that you can pick up at most home supply stores or craft stores. You want them slightly larger in diameter than the dowel rod.
• Sand Paper
• Hand Saw. This is the cut the dowel rod but you can also ask to have it cut at the store.
• Wood Glue or Hot Glue Gun
• Acrylic paint: any color but make sure you purchase black as well.
• Paint brushes: You want a variety of tips, including a fine point tip for the black lines.
• Sealer
• Wire hooks if you are making ornaments for hanging.

Directions:

1. Cut the dowel rod to the length that you prefer. You can play around with length and width of the rod to create different types of Kokeshi Dolls.
2. Sand the ends of the dowel rods.
3. Glue the wooden ball to one end of the dowel. This will be your head for the Kokeshi Doll. Allow the glue to dry completely before you start the next phase.
4. After the glue has dried completely, start painting the dolls with your child. Most Kokeshi Dolls are wearing a kimono. You should start by penciling out a design with the face, hair and detail and then paint in the colors leaving a small space between the pencil line and the paint.
5. Next paint in the detail. Kokeshi Dolls often have the arms and legs painted on the wooden dowel. Eyes and other facial features are also painted on with black.
6. Once the doll is painted, allow it to dry completely.
7. Apply a coat of sealer so the paint will remain on the wood. Repeat a second time to ensure that it is completely coated.
8. Add a wire hook to the top by drilling a hole in the top of the head and then securing with wood glue or the hot glue. Dry completely before hanging.

And then you have a beautiful Kokeshi Doll that all children, and adults for that matter, will love.