'Kokeshi' are charming traditional wooden dolls, the simple, colorful design representing a young girl wearing a kimono. This craft originated in the Tohoku region, where 11 distinct 'kokeshi' traditions still thrive. Naruko Onsen in Miyagi is the largest producer of these dolls, and there we meet Tanabe Kaori, who left her previous job as an engineer to train as a "kokeshi" artisan. She tells us about learning the difficult skills of painting the dolls' gentle features under the guidance of master craftsman Okazaki Yasuo. The old traditions continue to evolve, and recent creative 'kokeshi' designs are proving especially popular with female fans.
VIDEO BY MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS OF JAPAN