Cute and simple, palm-size cat dolls that originated in Naruko, a Japanese town popularly known as the hometown of Kokeshi dolls. The dolls are artfully created by the Kokeshi craftsmen who pour their heart into the making of these dolls. Thanks to the traditional art that goes into their making and a contemporary touch, they serve as both a beautiful art piece with a traditional touch and a cute and fashionable wooden showpiece for those who have a modern taste for room and desk decoration. All in all, this is a perfect gift that can make your friends, family and loved ones feel special.

こけしの里「鳴子（なるこ）」でうまれた素朴で可愛い手のひらサイズの遊びごころ。こけし工人たちの手仕事で、ひとつひとつまごころをこめて作られた、どこか懐かしくて、ちょっぴり新しい猫のこけしです。伝統的なこけしの製法に、現代的なアレンジをひとさじ加えたユーモアのある佇まい。あるときはうつくしい工芸品として、またあるときはファッショナブルで可愛い木の雑貨として、お部屋やデスクをいろどります。お友達やご家族、大切なひとへのとっておきのプレゼントにもぴったりです。

SHIGE繁

The red chrysanthemum flower is the common feature of the Naruko Kokeshi dolls, and the shape, pattern and arrangement of the flower on each Kokeshi are decided by the craftsmen, who apply their creativity along with the acquired skills into making each piece a unique one, much like a “family crest”. The KOKESHI – our new artwork – is the modern form of the traditional Kokeshi pattern handed down by my grandmother to my mother along with the paintbrush she used to paint them with. To express our respect and in loving memory of my grandmother, we have named the doll as “SHIGE” after my grandmother’s name. Our cute yet traditional KOKESHI is waiting to spruce up a corner of your house.

鳴子こけしの絵柄は、赤い菊の花を共通の特徴とし、その形状、模様、配置は、描き手がそれぞれ独自の意匠をもつ、家紋のようなもの。祖母が生前描きつづけた絵柄は、絵筆とともに私の母へと受け継がれ、猫のこけしのちいさなキャンバスにあわせて、あたらしく描きおろされました。祖母を偲び、敬意のきもちを込めて、私たちはこの猫のこけしを彼女の名前とおなじ「繁（しげ）」と名付けました。鳴子こけしの伝統的な佇まいと、可愛らしい雑貨のような味わいをおたのしみください。

TSURUKAME鶴亀

The “TSURUKAME” design pattern has a special significance in Japan, and my grandmother would use it for making Kokeshi gifts for special persons. She lived in the snowy mountains of Naruko during a tough period of war, when she painted the Kokeshi dolls for a living. She continued to support her family of four children by painting the dolls. I have occasionally seen her use the “TSURUKAME” design in her entire lifespan of 97 years. Tsuru (crane) and Kame (turtle) are considered auspicious in Japan as they symbolize longevity. This special pattern denotes my grandmother’s wish that the receiver of this doll be blessed with a long and healthy life, and hence makes this doll a perfect gift for one’s treasured moments like marriage and child birth. What better gift than this to express your gratitude towards your parents and grandparents?

鶴亀の絵柄は、祖母が大切な人への贈り物として描いた、特別なもの。祖母は、きびしい戦時を経て雪ぶかい鳴子の山の中に居をかまえ、こけしの絵付けでくらしをたてました。職人として鳴子こけしを描きつづけ、四人の子供たちを育てあげた九十七年の生涯のなかで、時折、彼女はこのこけしを描きました。鶴と亀は長寿を象徴する縁起のよい生き物。この絵柄には、贈る相手にいつまでも元気でいてほしいという、祖母の願いがこめられています。結婚や出産のお祝いに、ご両親や祖父母への感謝をこめたプレゼントにぴったりです。

MUJI無地

Each one of these wooden KOKESHI has been carefully hand-carved by the skilled Kokeshi craftsmen of Naruko. The charm of Kokeshi dolls lies in their smooth texture and faint fragrance as much as their beautiful wood grain, and a stout, pretty silhouette, all of which are attributable solely to the solid wood they are made from. Besides, you have a choice of using these unpainted dolls as is for a sober look or exhibiting your painting skills in making them more vibrant with full freedom. So get your painting material ready and churn out ideas to make your own, unique one.

猫のこけしにつかわれている木地を、そのままおとどけします。無垢の木ならではのなめらかな手触り、ほのかな香り、うつくしい木目をおたのしみいただけます。そのまま飾るもよし、無塗装だから、絵の具やクレヨン、ラッカーやマジックで絵付や彩色も自由自在。ぜひ、あなただけの猫のこけしを描いてみてください。