american kokeshi

kokeshi are traditional japanese hand-painted wooden dolls whose origin goes back to the edo period. they are made with love and great care as each artist strives to bring their own unique style to these little representations. in fact in japan they sign the bottom of each one and they are usually handed down in families from father to son.

these little guys were recently produced by our little guys and were inspired by the joseph story in genesis. joseph had to suffer much before finally discovering God's ultimate purpose for his life. our little kokeshis aren't suffering too much though, and the little artists who produced them remind us that in true japanese sensibility the simplest joys are the richest.