K18107 - Japan Omiyage Kokeshi Gourd Shaped

This charming and whimsical set of handcrafted kokeshi dolls hails from Ayameike (あやめ池), an area in Nara Prefecture once home to a popular amusement park and zoo. Each figure features a gourd-shaped (hyōtan/瓢箪) body, symbolic in Japanese culture for good luck, protection from evil, and prosperity, paired with a cheerful, round wooden head adorned with hand-painted smiling expressions. The dolls are arranged playfully in a row, with twig-like arms reaching out toward one another, conveying a sense of camaraderie and joy. Some wear tiny fabric hoods, adding to their individuality and charm. The marbled patterns in warm tones of red, orange, and gold give the gourds a vibrant, almost fiery appearance, creating a visual warmth that complements their happy expressions. Behind them stands a sign featuring the handwritten characters 仲よし (nakayoshi), meaning "good friends" or "close companions," emphasizing the theme of togetherness and harmony. A small wooden nameplate reads あやめ池, proudly marking their place of origin. This piece is not only a delightful folk craft but also a nostalgic keepsake of Ayameike's cultural past. It brings with it a spirit of friendship and community—perfect for display in any space needing a joyful, heartwarming touch. Size: 17.5 x 4.5 x 9cm#K18107#shikishikyo· · ──── ✨𝘼𝙘𝙘𝙚𝙨𝙨 𝙊𝙪𝙧 𝘿𝙖𝙩𝙖𝙗𝙖𝙨𝙚✨ ──── · · 𝐸𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑦 𝑖𝑡𝑒𝑚 𝑠𝑜𝑙𝑑 𝑛𝑜𝑤 𝑐𝑜𝑚𝑒𝑠 𝑤𝑖𝑡ℎ 𝑎 𝑐𝑒𝑟𝑡𝑖𝑓𝑖𝑐𝑎𝑡𝑒 𝑓𝑒𝑎𝑡𝑢𝑟𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑎 𝑢𝑛𝑖𝑞𝑢𝑒 𝑄𝑅 𝑐𝑜𝑑𝑒 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑆𝐾𝑈 𝑛𝑢𝑚𝑏𝑒𝑟. 𝑆𝑖𝑚𝑝𝑙𝑦 𝑠𝑐𝑎𝑛 𝑜𝑟 𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑒𝑟 𝑖𝑡 𝑡𝑜 𝑎𝑐𝑐𝑒𝑠𝑠 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑝𝑟𝑜𝑑𝑢𝑐𝑡 𝑖𝑛𝑓𝑜𝑟𝑚𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑎𝑛𝑦𝑡𝑖𝑚𝑒.