Meet the Kokeshi-shi

What does Kokeshi-shi mean?

Kokeshi-shi (こけし師) is the Japanese term for a master Kokeshi maker or artisan dedicated to crafting Kokeshi dolls. The word is made up of:

Kokeshi (こけし): the doll itself

Shi (師): an honorary title meaning "master," "teacher," or "craftsman"

Just like in other Japanese traditions — such as sushi-shi for a sushi master or ikebana-shi for a flower arrangement artist — kokeshi-shi refers to someone who has mastered the art of Kokeshi making, often passed down through generations.

What exactly does a Kokeshi-shi do?

A Kokeshi-shi is more than just a woodworker. He or she is at once:

• Woodturner: shaping the wood by hand on a traditional lathe

• Painter: applying the face, hairstyle, and kimono design with a brush — often in just a few swift, flawless strokes

• Designer: giving each doll a subtle uniqueness, even within traditional styles

• Cultural guardian: especially in traditional Kokeshi, preserving both regional and family-specific styles with great care

In many cases, the craft begins at a young age, within a family workshop. It's a discipline that takes decades of practice, as the artist works without templates — every doll is created manually and intuitively.

Traditional and Creative Kokeshi-shi: What's the Difference?

A traditional kokeshi-shi often specialises in a single style (such as Naruko or Tōgatta), strictly preserving the rules of that specific form. In Japan, such artisans are sometimes officially recognised as Living Cultural Treasures (mukei bunkazai).

A creative kokeshi-shi, on the other hand, works with greater freedom in shape, colour, and expression. Here, the artist's personal signature and vision take centre stage.

In both cases, it is customary for the doll to be signed or stamped on the underside — a detail highly valued by collectors. The mark may include the maker's name, the region, and sometimes even the year of creation.

Why are Kokeshi-shi so important?

Every Kokeshi is not just an object, but the result of the vision, experience, and hand of a specific maker. By learning to recognise the signature, enthusiasts can attribute dolls to a particular artist or school, revealing their origin and value.

A kokeshi-shi is therefore more than just a craftsman — they are a cultural link between past and present, between Japan and the world.
Their work lives on in every doll they create — sometimes for decades, and admired across the globe.

You can find the different Kokeshi-shi via the dropdown menu at the top of the page.