Milan Traditional Kokeshi Exhibition

 

An initiative for passing on kokeshi tradition to the futureーexhibiting genuine kokeshi in Milano, Italy

 

Introducing traditional kokeshi to Europe

 

Hi, we are Sakurai Kokeshi, the Milan Kokeshi Exhibition bureau in Japan. We would like to introduce you to “kokeshi,” a traditional form of handmade doll popular in northeastern Japan since the Edo period. This craftwork has been popularized mainly as a souvenir at attractions, such as hot springs, and was once used to decorate many Japanese homes.

 

 

Although a period of high economic growth helped the kokeshi industry prosper, it is, like many traditional industries, now facing a hard time. Due to the aging of kokeshi craftspersons and a dearth of successors, the industry is at risk of stagnation. In the meantime, individuals such as Professor Virginia Sica of the Milan National University are taking the initiative to create projects, such as this one, which exhibits traditional kokeshi abroad.

 

The project will be held for two weeks at the Mudec of Milan, which is highly appreciated by admirers of contemporary architecture and home to numerous other exhibitions.

 

〈MUDEC〉Museo delle Culture via Tortona 56, CAP 20144 Milano

Although donors have already provided support for this exhibition, we are still 1.4 million yen (12,000 USD) short, for administration and maintenance of the venue during the exhibition and transportation of kokeshis from Japan. To help the traditional craft of kokeshi to move a step closer to transform itself to be more sustainable industry, we would very much appreciate your support.

 

Cooperative Hosting With Milan National University: Traditional Kokeshi Exhibition

 

■ An encounter with Professor Virginia SIca of the Mian University:

 

At the end of 2017, Professor Virginia Sica of the Milan National University visited  Sakurai Kokeshi. Professor Sica, who has had the experience of living in Sendai and is also a collector of kokeshi herself, conveyed her desire to share the wonders of traditional kokeshi with her home country of Italy and Europe in general.

 

After that, in January 2018, as a part of developing overseas kokeshi sales partners, our team at the Sakurai Kokeshi had the opportunity to visit a tradeshow in Paris, and were later able to meet Professor Sica again in Milan.

 

 

As a result, we were able to exchange opinions again and began to plan an exhibition at the Mudec, one of the leading art museums in Italy, to convey the traditional kokeshi culture in Europe. As soon as we returned to Japan, we started organizing the project in earnest.

 

 

 

■ Toward Holding the Exhibition:

 

For this exhibition, the Italian side—Professor Virginia Sica with leading cultural figures in Italy—and Japanese side—the organizer Sakurai Kokeshi and two participating kokeshi studios—are working together. The Milan National University will be responsible for the venue costs at Mudec, which was the primary issue of concern.

 

However, the goal of this exhibition is to enable European people to understand traditional kokeshi culture in depth. To that end, it is essential to plan publicity options, schedule Italian researcher lectures, and create videos to use at the venue to convey traditional kokeshi culture.

 

To realize this exhibition, which may prove very important for future of kokeshi, we would like to ask widespread support from kokeshi fans, those who are attached to the Tohoku region and Japanese culture in general.

 

<Exhibition Outline>

 

Schedule: May 18th – May 31st, 2019

Location: Milan Cultural Museum (Mudec)

Content: Lectures by Italian researchers and kokeshi crafters, workshops, and traditional kokeshi displays

*Details of duration and contents of the exhibition are subject to change depending on the result of the fundraising.

 

 

"Kokeshi" Changes Shape with the Times:

 

Born in Tohoku, traditional kokeshi persists as a craft requiring long hours and careful handiwork. The first step in the creation process is the preparation of wood. Fresh timber cannot be used; instead, natural raw wood that has dried for about a year is peeled by hand and carved into the form of a kokeshi using a lathe. Next, craftspeople give life to the kokeshi by painting delicate patterns on them with brushes.

 

 

Although they have the same origins, handmade kokeshi dolls are unique, with different characteristics depending on the individuality of the artisans.

 

However, the kokeshi dolls currently distributed in Europe and the United States tend to be mass produced, inexpensive, and sometimes made of plastic. This is why many people perceive kokeshi dolls as cheap.

 

 

 

 

▲ Sakurai Kokeshi

 

To Uphold Tradition and Connect the Kokeshi Industry to the Future:

 

The kokeshi industry has long been associated with sightseeing spots, such as hot springs. In recent years, customers from overseas have gradually increased.

 

In order to make future kokeshi business sustainable both domestically and worldwide, it is critical that we convey the value of traditional kokeshi and increase the number of fans who recognize the labor of handicrafts and the skills of craftsmen.

 

For this reason, this project means a lot to us.

 

We believe that this opportunity to disseminate traditional kokeshi culture holds the potential to benefit the future of kokeshi. We would very much appreciate your continued support in furthering our vision.

 

 

Introduction of Invited Kokeshi Studios:

 

Message from craftsman Masahiro Hayasaka and Noboru Wagatsuma

 

Understand kokeshi, a deep-rooted facet of Japanese tradition consisting of rustic and beautiful wooden toys.

 

 

Message from craftsman Akira Suzuki

 

Touch real kokeshi dolls and learn about this traditional craft born in Tohoku.

 

Message from Sakurai Kokeshi

 

 

Learn about the people around the world touched by kokeshi culture, as well as the culture of Japan and Tohoku.

 

We hope that this exhibition will bolster the future of traditional kokeshi and are sincerely grateful for your support.

 

 

▶︎To See more messages◀︎

 

 

 【Readyfor Limited】Information on Perquisites

 

We prepared a limited edition kokeshi and goods as perquisites in this crowdfunding campaign. We would like to take this opportunity to touch on traditional crafts from those who long-time kokeshi fans, as well as those who have just discovered kokeshi.

 

 

 

Contact us 

Organizer Japan Team: Ulala Tanaka | Sakurai Kokeshi

mail ：ulala@sakuraikokeshiten.com

TEL ：+81(0)229-87-3575