Hijiori | 肘折系

There are not many Hijiori artist today and thus these types of Kokeshi are considered rare. The Hijiori strain was first produced in Ōkura town in Mogami County at the Hijiori Hot Springs in Yamagata Prefecture. It was said to have been started by Kakizaki Denzō who learned to make Kokeshi in Narugo, later returning home to start his own Kokeshi business around the late 1870s. Inoue Tōgorō, an apprentice of Kakizaki Denzō, also trained at the Tōgatta Hot Springs to learn new techniques. Hijiori Kokeshi are a mixture of the Tōgatta and Naruko strains this can be seen in the characteristics of each doll today, such as the Tōgatta-like head and the thick bodies of Naruko Kokeshi. A unique type, which is identifiably Hijiori, is the Shosuke type edged with thick black hair, large face with long slanted eyes under thick eyebrows and slightly pursed red lips.

Rare, regionally rooted, and richly expressive, Hijiori Kokeshi blend Naruko strength with Tōgatta grace, carrying the legacy of artisans who shaped them at the Hijiori Hot Springs.

🧭 Origins & Lineage

📍 Region: Hijiori Onsen, Ōkura Town, Mogami County, Yamagata Prefecture
🧓 Founders:

Kakizaki Denzō (Naruko-trained, active since late 1870s)
Inoue Tōgorō (apprenticed under Denzō, trained in Tōgatta)

🔗 Influences: Tōgatta (head, tegara), Naruko (body shape)
🧬 Substrains: Shosuke type, Okuyama series
🧙 Legacy: Few active Hijiori artisans today; each doll is a cultural heirloom

🪵 Materials & Colors

🌳 Wood Types: Mizuki (dogwood), Sakura (cherry)
🎨 Palette: Yellow, Red, Green, Black, Purple
🧩 Assembly: Two-piece construction—head and body

🧠 Head & Hair Designs

🟫 Shapes: Blocky, round, oval
💇 Bangs: Single or double with side tufts
👑 Shosuke Style: Full crown, thick black hair, long side tufts
🎀 Ornaments:

Double bow tie (dragonfly) in red and green
Tied hair with tegara lines
Momoware (split peach) mage design

😊 Facial Features

👄 Mouth / Lips:

Pursed lips
Curved lips, slightly open
Single upper lip line with full red lower lip

👁 Eyes:

Futae-Mabuta (double eyelids)
Variations with open or closed corners

🌸 Cheeks: Circular, lightly pink or red

🧍‍♀️ Body Shapes & Styles

📏 Form:

Straight cylindrical shoulders
Elevated rounded rim or base-like stand
Yellow base-paint with obi (waistband)

👘 Styles:

Hina Style
Ejiko (baby in basket)
Princess Daruma (regal, rounded)

🌼 Floral Motifs

🌺 Kānēshon: Dianthus, fringed pink carnations
🌸 Chrysanthemums: Layered petals
🌹 Peonies: Rarely used
🌻 Hydrangeas & Sunflowers: Newer additions

🎐 Other Design Elements

🎀 Obi: Painted waist belt
🔔 Rattle: Azuki beans inside the head
👩‍👧 Komori: Mother or grandmother with child
🧺 Ejiko: Baby nestled in a basket
👒 Hats: Often paired with seasonal motifs
🗣 Birikana: Chatter work, fine line detailing

🧪 Contemporary Notes

🆕 Shingata:
Many modern artisans personalize their Hijiori Kokeshi with new motifs, colors, and expressions. These are considered “shingata”, new forms that honor tradition while embracing innovation.

See additional information related to "All Dento" Kokeshi here