- JAPAN IN FOCUS
Aomori: Bring in new year with a roar

A set of tiger kokeshi wooden dolls is seen with artisan Masafumi Abo carving more in the background at the Tsugaru Kokeshi Kan museum in Kuroishi, Aomori Prefecture, in December.
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.
"FEATURES" POPULAR ARTICLE
-
Autumn in Full Swing in Kyoto
-
Millennium-Old Traditional ‘Naked Festival’ to Be Held for Last Time Next February at Iwate Pref. Temple
-
Old Tokyo Building Becomes a Hub for Various Regions in Japan
-
Onigiri Rice Balls Increasingly Popular Worldwide due to Taste, Healthfulness
-
New Tour in Japan Featuring Kumano Kodo, Hot Springs Targets Foreign Tourists
JN ACCESS RANKING