Nodder kokeshi click on the thumbnails to see full size pictures
I have broken these down into the following sub-categories;
1. Traditional (Dento) kokeshi with moving heads - Naruko kokeshi have heads that can be turned left and right making a squeaking noise that some think represents the sound of a baby crying, Sato Tadao makes Nanbu kokeshi in the traditional style but with a head and neck joint that is forced into the body, like a nodder doll, so the head can turn through 360 degrees.
2.Standard creative (Sosaku) kokeshi - the classic male & female pair and the single maiko, an apprentice geisha.
3. Family kokeshi - including nesting dolls, babysitters, Ejiko (baby in a basket), mother & child, sisters, grandpa & grandma and kissing kokeshi.
4. Hina kokeshi - represent the emperor and empress. Hina dolls and their entourage are displayed on Girl's Day in Japan (Hinamatsuri, Doll Festival, March 3rd). A full display consists of seven tiers of dolls on a red carpet.
5. Character kokeshi - these depict either real life people (including historical Japanese characters, samurai & religious figures as well as people in national dress from around the world) or characters from stories, Noh & Kabuki dramas, folklore, fairy tales & songs as well as gods and monsters.
6. Animals, fruit & vegetables, festivals, inanimate objects and practical kokeshi - the Japanese seem to be able to make kokeshi based on any influences around them; whether that be nature, seasonal markers such as annual festivals or inanimate objects. They can also adapt the kokeshi form to a wide variety of practical purposes.
