These are Nipopo dolls (ニポポ人形)—a type of folk craft from Hokkaidō, often associated with the Ainu, the Indigenous people of Japan’s northernmost island. Crafted in the spirit of sōsaku kokeshi (創作こけし)—a modern, creative interpretation of traditional wooden dolls—these figures blend minimalist design with symbolic meaning.
The word "Nipopo" comes from the Ainu language, meaning “small wooden figure”. These dolls were traditionally believed to bring good luck, protection, and prosperity. Characterized by their stacked cylindrical shapes, carved features, and simplified human form, each doll in this pair is hand-carved with bamboo-like leaf motifs and a distinctive ring around the body, a design element seen in Ainu and northern Japanese crafts.
Compact and sculptural, this pair of Nipopo dolls serves as both a decorative piece and a cultural artifact, representing the enduring spirit of Hokkaidō’s craft traditions and the Ainu people’s connection to nature.
