 are handmade wooden dolls originating from hot springs villages in the Tōhoku region of Northeastern Japan. They were handcrafted by artisans as children’s toys, and their distinctive appearances of rounded heads and limbless bodies decorated in black, red, and green ink, have made them recognizable the world over. Today, 

 are sought after by collectors and those who seek to preserve folk traditions, and they’ve even inspired modern creations such as Nintendo’s Miis. From a collection courtesy of Yo and Ingrid Harita, 

Small Wonders: The Art of Japanese Kokeshi

 invites viewers into the craftsmanship and whimsy of traditional Japanese folk art.

Small Wonders: The Art of Japanese Kokeshi – James F. Ranii Foyer exhibit