This Yatsuyanagi Kokeshi doll is made of cherry bark work from Akita Prefecture and decorated with cherry motifs. The glossy brown cherry bark has a moist texture that fits comfortably in the hand.

Kokeshi is a simple wooden Japanese doll which is consisted of a cylindrical body and a round head inserted into the body. It is crafted for more than 150 years as a toy for children, and is originally from the Tohoku(northeastern) region of Japan.

This small but authentic product is a combination of two traditional Tohoku crafts, cherry bark work and Kokeshi dolls. It is recommended as a gift or interior decoration for adults as well as children.

The cherry trees used for Akita cherry bark work are mainly wild cherry trees from the Tohoku region, which grow in a harsh climate and are said to be beautiful and durable.

The cherry bark is carefully peeled off from the trunk and left to dry in the shade for a year or two to remove the moisture. Yatsuyanagi is committed to the preservation of sustainable nature and the coexistence and co-prosperity of nature and traditional crafts. They are also actively involved in planting wild cherry trees on fallow land.

Since its establishment in 1876, Yatsuyanagi has been engaged in the manufacture and sale of wild cherry bark work for generations in Kakunodate, Senboku City, Akita Prefecture, a place rich in nature. They are a manufacturer that puts their heart and soul into each and every product, using the high technology that has been handed down from generation to generation to create tools for daily life that are both easy to use and beautiful.