Nanbu | 南部系

Nanbu also known as Hanamaki Kokeshi derived from the Kina Kina Kokeshi. Colorless dolls used as pacifiers for little children with loose fitting heads that tumble most likely meant to amuse them.

Today there are a variety with painted and unpainted bodies and faces. They can be found in the production centers of Hanamki, Marioka, Yokokawame Kitakami, Iwate Prefecture and Miyako in iwate-ken.

🧭 Origins & Lineage

📍 Region: Hanamaki, Morioka, Miyako, Kitakami, Yokokawame, Iwate Prefecture
🧓 Ancestry: Derived from Kina-Kina dolls, once used as pacifiers or toys
🧬 Substrains: Hanamaki, Kina-Kina
🎠 Historical Note: Loose-fitting heads were designed to tumble and amuse children

🪵 Materials & Colors

🌳 Wood Types: Mizuki (dogwood), Sakura (cherry)
🎨 Palette: Traditionally unpainted; modern versions in Yellow, Red, Green, Black
🧩 Assembly: Two-piece construction (head + body)

🧠 Head & Hair Designs

🟫 Shapes: Rounded or crown-like
💇 Styles:

Traditionally unpainted
Modern: Side tufts, divided bangs, single bang, crown styles
Tegara radial lines or Janome ring on head

😊 Facial Features

👄 Mouth / Lips:

Blank
Single line with red dot beneath
Double line

👁 Eyes:

Blank
Futae-Mabuta (double eyelid)
Hitoe-Mabuta (single eyelid)

🌸 Cheeks:

Typically no blush
Exception: Tayama Izumi’s works feature light blush

👃 Nose Types

🐱 Nekobana – Cat nose (most common)
🔪 Warebana – Split nose
📏 Nagabana – Long nose

🧍‍♀️ Body Shapes & Styles

📏 Form:

Loose head, rattle-like sound
Snow cape style
Long tubular body with rounded shoulders
Waspy-waist design (illusion of belt)

👘 Variants:

Hina and Ejiko styles occasionally seen
Kimono with Obi or snow cape
Komori (mother/grandmother with baby)

🌼 Floral Motifs

🌸 Common: Chrysanthemums, Peonies
🎨 Placement: Often minimal or symbolic

🎐 Other Design Elements

👘 Kimono & Obi: Painted or carved
🧣 Snow Capes & Hats: Seasonal accessories
🧺 Ejiko & Komori: Family-themed dolls

🧪 Contemporary Notes

Originally colorless and rattling with delight, Nanbu Kokeshi, also known as Hanamaki or Kina-Kina, carry the gentle spirit of Iwate’s snowy towns. Their loose heads and minimalist features evoke a childlike simplicity, while modern variations whisper new stories.

🆕 Shingata: Modern Nanbu Kokeshi may feature painted faces, blush, and stylized hair—each a gentle evolution from their pacifying origins.

See additional information related to "All Dento" Kokeshi here