kokeshi

cylindrical wooden dolls

Kokeshi were invented by craftsmen in Miyagi, who used their leftover wood to make dolls. Miyagi is a spa town and kokeshi became a popular souvenir and spread to other areas. In the late 1800s a new one-person lathe was invented to increase production of the dolls. The dolls usually wear painted kimonos featuring designs or flowers, especially the chrysanthemum, iris, and peony.

Japanese Crafts
The Japan Craft Forum