kokeshi

Wooden doll with a round head attached to a cylindrical body with no limbs. Kokeshi are thought to have originated in the Edo period (1600-1868) as a folk toy made by woodworkers of the Tōhoku district (northeast Japan). Many kokeshi are painted with floral designs on the body and a girl's face. Since World War II, kokeshi have become popular among collectors. (adapted from Japan: An Illustrated Encyclopedia. Tokyo: Kodansha, 1993)