Little is known about the early history of the Kokeshi Japanese Wooden Dolls. One school of thought believes that Kokeshi babies have their origins in spiritualist practice of religion. Wooden dolls were thought to contain the spiritual essence of the dead and were often made for honorary commemoration. The modern history of Japanese Kokeshi dolls […]
Russian Wooden Doll Styles
Kirov Style Matryoshka is made from linden and birch, which is cut when it is filled with sap in the spring, peeled and aired. Each doll shape is created on a lathe. Kirovskaya matryoskha is based on the style of Vyatka matryoskha. Most of the dolls are gold in color and have only females as […]
How to Craft Russian Wooden Dolls
A Matryoshka doll, also known as a Russian nesting doll, is one of a number of dolls that can fit into each other. Sizes vary from small ones to large ones. Any number of Matryoshka dolls can be made to fit inside each other and a simple toy for children can be created. The dolls […]
Crafting Kokeshi Dolls
Kokeshi dolls are created with traditional and creative production techniques were transmitted by craftsmen or by “Kiji-Shi” in Japanese. Kokeshi dolls today are still being made as hundreds of years ago. The wood is naturally dried before being shaped with simple tools. After the craftman creates the shape that s/he has chosen, s/he continues to […]