Nargo hot springs were developed more than 1,000 years ago, and are known
as rich output and a lot kinds of spa, which are located in Miyagi Prefecture. Historically,
many lathe craftsmen worked for Japan ware (laccqur crafts) in Nargo. It
was believed some of craftsmen in Nargo initiated to produce Kokeshi dolls
in around 1830s.
These dolls are distinguishable as having shorter and fatter bodies with
the spherical head, and the bodies are solid and have "shoulders".
The heads are made separately from the body, and while the doll is being
turned on the lathe, the head, which has a "tongue" like a neck,
is forced into a hollowed out area of the body. Thus this doll makes a
small squeaking sound when the head is turned from side to side. Japanese
charactor of "Natrugo"is associated with "Crying baby"
and customers are pleased with this symbolic sound. The colours of the
Narugo group are usually red chrysanthemum flowers, with green on the body
and chrysanthemum petals radiating from a black bang on the forehead. Sometimes
a yellow colour is also on the body.
Oonuma Iwazo(1876 - 1950)
This Kokeshi is the type of Narugo group,
which was made in 1938
