Somedays I really think that I was of Asian decent in a former life, there are just too many things that I am drawn to about the various cultures for it to be a coincidence. Aside from turning our lunches into a contest of art and taste through my overworked Bento, I just discovered a kind of doll that appeals to both my natural nature and my artistic spirit- the Kokeshi doll!! This unique doll is very simple, a plain trunk with a larger head, painted with a few lines to indicate facial features, and then the body is painted in a variety of ways. One thing that all Kokeshi have in common is no arms or legs.
Of course I discovered these on Etsy thanks to a search for gifts for my husband so here are some shops that sell finished Kokeshi as well as a great shop that sells the plain wood for you to paint your own Kokeshi dolls (at a VERY cheap price). Just click on the pic and it will take you to the shop.
