12/06/2026
As a collector of kokeshi and Japanese folk toys, I’ve spent many years seeking out makers, learning their stories, and building a collection that brings me joy. That passion has also led me to spend the last few years researching and planning a Kokeshi Tour, which I hope to run for the first time in 2028.
After my Tokyo & Beyond tour in May, I travelled through northern Japan visiting kokeshi makers, workshops and museums as part of that research. One place I was especially keen to visit was the workshop of father-and-son makers Rokuchihide Abo and Masafumi Abo in Aomori Prefecture.
I’ve owned several of their apple kokeshi for years, so standing in the workshop where they were made and meeting the family behind them was a real highlight.
The shelves were filled with colourful kokeshi of every shape and size, but when I spotted Masafumi painting a collection of mushroom kokeshi, I immediately fell for them. Their cheerful faces made me smile, and I was delighted when he agreed to sell them to me.
These are the moments I love most about travelling through Japan — meeting makers, hearing their stories, and discovering pieces with a connection to place and tradition.
I was fortunate to bring a small collection home with me, and I’m pleased to say these beautiful apple and mushroom kokeshi are now available at The Crafty Squirrel.
Which would you choose? 🍎 or 🍄
