Momiji [‘mom-ee-jee’] is a brand of collectible, hand-painted dolls inspired by Asian style and contemporary illustration. Each Momiji has a small space in the base to hide a secret message on a blank piece of folded card which is included with the doll. The dolls are a contemporary form of traditional Japanese Kokeshi

Kokeshi

, are Japanese dolls, originally from northern Japan. They are handmade from wood, have a simple trunk and an enlarged head with a few thin, painted lines to define the face. The body has a floral design painted in red, black, and sometimes yellow, and covered with a layer of wax. One...

 dolls..

History

Momiji Dolls were originally inspired in 2005 by traditional folk-art in northern Japan

Japan

Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...

 called Kokeshi. These dolls were Carved from spare pieces of wood about 3 inches long and hand painted, they were usually made by farmers. The dolls typically consist of a head and elongated torso representing the body and legs as a single piece.
Momiji dolls are different to the traditional Kokeshi dolls in that they are made from resin and contain a small space in the base. inside the base is a small folded card for a secret message or greeting. Momiji dolls are often designed by fresh new designers and are known for their work with colleges and art schools worldwide.

Usage

Momiji Dolls, also known as Momiji Friendship Dolls, are typically given to others to show friendship and love. Artforum Limited says: Giving small gifts is part of the culture of Japan and is known as omiyage. In modern times, they have been given as presents for Christmas. The space in the base is often used to pass secret messages between friends. But it's not a true.

External links

• Momiji official site
• Marie Claire
• Trend hunter article