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Kokeshi Japanese Wooden
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 Vintage Japanese Kokeshi Wooden Dolls  US $29.99
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 Japanese Kokeshi 3Pcs Red Wooden Doll US $.31
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If the dollhouse is the cake, then dollhouse furniture is the icing on that cake. Just like creating a birthday cake and picking out the right candles and decoration, choosing the right dollhouse furniture in just the right style and color creates the entire tone of the dollhouse.
It doesn't matter as much what kind of dollhouse you have, it is the dollhouse furniture that speaks volumes about how your dolls live. It is not a far stretch of the imagination to place more modern dollhouse furniture pieces into a modern house, so the opposite is also acceptable. Probably the most important things to look at when choosing furniture for your dollhouse are scale and quality.
Scale is the size ratio that needs to be used when furnishing a dollhouse. If your house were a 1:20 scale model, 1:12 scale furniture would simply not be a suitable match. Continuity with scale produces a dollhouse that looks complete, has room for all the accessories, and the dolls fit in it perfectly.
You wouldn't want a couch to take up an entire room. A commode that is obviously too small in comparison to the dolls would not be appropriate, either. Dollhouse furniture choice is very important to produce the cohesion that brings it all together and also allows each room to flow smoothly into the next.
When purchasing dollhouse furniture, remember quality. If you purchase the least expensive chairs, they are not only going to look cheap, they aren't going to last very long. Dollhouses are an investment; recently one took over $9,000 at an auction at Christy's due mostly to the original damask wallpaper still on the walls, and the quality of the furniture that was included.
If you have spent hours building a dollhouse, or simply spent the extra money to buy a pre-built dollhouse, you know what it is worth. Take the time to choose properly built dollhouse furniture and you will be very pleased. A well-turned spindle on the dining chairs rather that a rough square back will always showcase workmanship over price. And to tell the truth, the price difference is negligible...mostly likely less than five dollars. Spend the extra few dollars and have the perfect piece that will bring you hours of enjoyment rather than just a temporary fix. You know that eventually you will go down and buy the correct one anyway, save your money ahead of time.
When you start looking for the dollhouse furniture of your dreams, you may have to shop around to get exactly what you are looking for. If price is a concern, buy just one piece at a time, just make sure it is the one you have had your heart set on, not just a temporary piece so there is something in the room.
Not only will you be disappointed, but also you may never buy the one you want due to price considerations such as, "Why buy another, I have one and it is okay, I guess." Don't make your dollhouse just okay, make it splendorous, and make it everything you would want to live in. Remember that the better quality, the better it will stand up to the test of time.
There are many dollhouse furniture manufacturers out there that create not only visually stunning masterpieces, but they are also sturdier because they aren't just scrap wood and glue, they are maple or oak and built just like the life-sized versions they replicate. If you just found the perfect piece, don't shop further. You'll never be happier, and you may lose the chance to own the perfect choice in dollhouse furniture.
A-Porcelain-Doll.com supplies porcelain dolls, antique dolls, and dolls collectible by everyone to everyone. They specialize in handcrafted porcelain dolls by internationally acclaimed artists from a variety of cultures. You can find Indian dolls, Persian dolls, Japanese dolls, Irish dolls, black dolls, ethnic dolls, and much more at A-Porcelain-Doll.com.
Copyright 2009
History of Kokeshi Wooden Dolls from Japan
One school of thought believes that Kokeshi dolls have their origins in the practice of spiritualist religion. Wooden dolls were thought to contain the spiritual essence of the dead and were often made for honorary remembrance.
The modern history of Japanese Kokeshi dolls began in the latter part of the Edo Era (1603-1867). Originating in the Tohiku region of northern Japan, famous for it's hot springs and rejuvenating spa waters, Kokeshi Dolls acted as an important source of extra income for local artisans known as Kijiya (which means woodworker in Japanese), who specialised in wood work and the production of household utensils such as trays and wooden bowls. In severe winters these Kijiya craftsmen began making "Kokeshi Dolls" to sell as souvenirs to visitors who frequented the local hot springs. The dolls acted not only as souvenirs but also as massage tools used by the bathers to tap their shoulders whilst enjoying the warming benefits of the hot springs.
The Kokeshi dolls were very simple in design, originally made on hand-powered lathes. Traditional Kokeshi dolls had common characteristics that consisted of a basic cylindrical limbless body and a round head. Though the first dolls might have been unpainted, today most Kokeshi are painted in bright floral designs, kimonos, and other traditional patterns. Colors used were red, yellow and purple. As all the dolls are hand painted, no two faces are alike. This is perhaps the greatest charm of the Kokeshi. Some dolls are whimsical, happy and smiling, while others are serious.
Soon their popularity spread throughout Japan and they became favoured as wooden toys for those unable to afford porcelain dolls. In addition the simple rounded shapes of the dolls lent themselves as early teething rings for young babies.
Kokeshi dolls traditionally represented young girls and they quickly became popular for their depiction of feminine beauty. In addition their simple charm and association with childhood meant that they were often given as gifts when a child was born, as birthday presents or as symbols of remembrance when a child died. In addition Kokeshi Japanese Wooden Dolls were popular with the children of farmers as it was widely thought that they would promise a good harvest, as it was believed that it would create a positive impression on the gods if children played with the dolls.
The woods used for Kokeshi vary. Cherry is distinguished by its darkness. Mizuko or dogwood is softer and used extensively. Itaya-kaede, a Japanese maple is also used. The wood is left outdoors to season for one to five years before it can be used to make a doll. Today, Kokeshi is recognized as one of the traditional folk arts of Japan.
Despite their common features two schools of design exist, Traditional Kokeshi and Creative Kokeshi.
Traditional Kokeshi are for the main part still only produced in the six prefectures of the Tohoku region. The twelve schools of design here all exhibit distinctive features that allow experts to tell exactly where they have been produced and often by whom.
Creative Kokeshi do not follow the traditional designs originating from the Tohoku region and instead have an unstructured inspiration which is completely free in terms of shape and painting, the only traditional constraint being their manufacture by means of the lathe. Unlike traditional kokeshi, they do not display any of their distinctive local colour nor the techniques that had been passed down through the generations. They simply represent the creative thought and ability of the craftsman.
Traditional and Creative crafted dolls have become a cause for celebration in Tohoku and across Japan. Every year, in early September, people gather in Naruko Onsen where craftsmen from across the nation gather to honor Kokeshi in a competition where the number one prize is an award from the Prime Minister.
There are many different styles of Kokeshi, but there is one philosophy that all Kokeshi dolls share, and that is the pursuit of beauty and artistry through simplicity. This philosophy is extolled at the website: http://www.dollsofjapan.co.uk
Ivor Conway has traveled extensively throughout Japan and was charmed by the Japanese art form of Kokeshi. The website, [http://www.dollsofjapan.co.uk], is a global resource intended to further knowledge of these simple but elegant works of art.
About the Author
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