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How to Make Kokeshi Dolls

Kokeshi dolls are Japanese dolls that originated in Northern Japan. They are created in a simple and minimalistic art style. They contain no hands or feet, but rather a stalked body topped with a round head. They are usually painted with flowers in the Japanese dress fashion. They are among the most popular toy dolls in Japan as well as in the rest of the world.

Things You'll Need

Ping pong ball or Styrofoam ball
Small plastic or glass bottle
Glue
Paint
Fine-tipped paintbrushes
2 beads
Toothpicks
Translucent varnish

Instructions

How to Make a Kokeshi Doll
- 1
  Clean a small plastic or glass bottle, such as a vitamin bottle or yogurt drink bottle. Strip the label and all residue off the bottle. Remove the bottle cap and discard it.
- 2
  Glue the ping pong ball or Styrofoam ball to the top of the bottle and allow the glue to dry for at least half an hour.
- 3
  Use fine-tipped paintbrushes to paint the doll's facial features on the ball head, and paint the body of the doll to represent a kimono with cherry blossoms and other popular Japanese flowers on it.
- 4
  Glue two beads atop the ball head, and run a toothpick through them to represent a Japanese bun held in place with chopsticks.
- 5
  Allow all of the paint to dry completely, which might take several hours depending upon the type of paint you used, and then glass the entire doll with translucent varnish.

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