Kokeshi are a Japanese folk craft and one of several kinds of dolls known to this culture. Their characteristic is that they are made of wood on a lathe. This particular set showcases types of “creative” kokeshi, which have developed after WW2. I started penciling the dolls during my third visit to Tokyo, succumbing at last to an overdose of kawaii.
This, however, is not the sole dimension of this set. The 45 dolls illustrate 45 traditional kimono designs, as listed by Katsumi Yumioka in the beautiful Summer Kimonos and the Colors of Japan. So this avalanche of cuteness is also a cultural document, of sorts. My dolls are named after these traditional motifs, listed in full here
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