Aomori: Bring in new year with a roar

The Yomiuri Shimbun

11:30 JST, January 18, 2022

KUROISHI, Aomori — Artisan Masafumi Abo works day after day to carve kokeshi wooden dolls of this year’s Zodiac sign, the tiger.

“I really hope this can be a good year in which we can beat the coronavirus pandemic,” said Abo, 38, who makes Tsugaru kei kokeshi at the Tsugaru Kokeshi Kan museum in Kuroishi, Aomori Prefecture.

“Usually, I try to make the kokeshi look cute, but this year I wanted to make ones that look fierce,” Abo said.

The kokeshi set features a parent and cub baring their fangs, and they seem to project a hint of humor and cuteness alongside strength.

The tiger kokeshi set is so popular that orders made in early January cannot be sent to customers until possibly February, a museum employee said.

Each set costs ¥3,300 (including tax) and can be ordered from the museum’s website.