Vintage nodding or bobble head, wood, 5 nesting Kokeshi dolls, 5 inches tall

Description

From the Tohoku region of northern Japan, Kokeshi dolls are a special and extraordinary folk toy.
It has been postulated that the first Kokeshi dolls were made in the early 1800s.
Tourists would visit the area hot springs during the winter so the local villagers carved Kokeshi dolls to sell as souvenirs.
Since they are handmade, each doll is different although common designs can be recognized.
This nodding head or bobble head doll is nearly 5 inches tall.
But inside are 4 more dolls of descending sizes.
All except the smallest have nodding heads.
The dolls are in very good shape.
There is a small scrape on the paint of the largest doll (side of head – see photos).
Shipping is free in the continental US.