Design Your Own Okiagari Kobōshi in a fun family-friendly workshop at Japan House London.
Explore the cultures of Japan this summer holiday with a series of family-friendly workshops. During each workshop, participants can enjoy learning about Japan and unleashing their creativity while trying an activity using original Japan House London worksheets.
Japan House London introduces okiagari kobōshi, small folk toys from the Aizu region of Fukushima Prefecture in the Tōhoku region in north-eastern Japan. Hollow with a weighted bottom, if knocked over, they always return to an upright position. This roly-poly design makes okiagari kobōshi a symbol of resilience and perseverance.
Typically, only 3 cm in height, okiagari kobōshi are made from washi (Japanese paper) using the technique of Aizu hariko (Aizu papier-mâché). The torso is often coloured red or blue, with black painted hair on the top of the pointed head, and simple black, thin lines for the eyes, eyebrows and mouth.
Explore all workshops in the Japan House London Family Workshops series on the Japan House website.