About Mokuchō Dolls
桐の木を頭・胴体・手足に分けて彫り、竹でできたクギを使って組み合わせて制作される人形です
| What are Mokuchō Dolls? |
Mokuchō dolls are made by carving paulownia wood into heads, bodies, and limbs, then assembling them using bamboo nails. Paulownia wood, being low in resin, is less susceptible to insects, light, durable, and resistant to deformation, making it a highly suitable material for doll making.
For intricate details like hair ornaments, all parts are carved from wood. Sometimes, harder wood than paulownia is used for fine kōgei, and carving the wood to express the nuances of small parts like fingertips requires skilled techniques.
| Making Process of Mokuchō Dolls |
1. Carve heads, bodies, and limbs from paulownia wood
2. Apply several coats of gofun, then polish the surface with sandpaper
3. Adhere clothing to the body grooves with adhesive
4. Paint hair and face with colors, attach limbs coated with gofun to the body, complete the doll
＜Source: "What is Traditional Kōgei? "Edited by Japan Kōgei Association East Japan Branch / Published by Unsodo, P.56>
