Naruto Anime Series Celebrates 20th Anniversary with Traditional Kokeshi Dolls

08.August.2022 | ANIME&GAME / FASHION

To commemorate the 20th anniversary of the Naruto anime series, Usaburo Kokeshi has created two traditional dolls modeled after Naruto Uzumaki and Sasuke Uchiha. The original manga series by Masashi Kishimoto has become a global phenomenon, and fans won’t want to miss out on these unique pieces! Preorders are now open.

 

Usaburo Kokeshi makes each of these pieces by hand, transforming them from children’s playthings into traditional works of art. The wood used to create these pieces is from trees in Gunma Prefecture.

 

 

Usaburo Kokeshi Doll – Naruto Uzumaki

 

Usaburo Kokeshi Doll – Sasuke Uchiha


These adorable dolls completely recreate both character’s outfits and hairstyles, and the designers clearly focused on the small details. Enjoy these palm-sized versions of your favorite Naruto characters!

 

©岸本斉史 スコット/集英社・テレビ東京・ぴえろ

 

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    Flower Petal Stickers

     

     

    Fans of Naruto won’t want to miss their chance to leave a congratulatory message for the birthday boy! Just write your message on one of these stickers, and stick them to the character panel of your choice. 

     

     

    Event Contents

     

    Gameplay

     

    Players will solve a number of riddles placed all over the Naruto & Boruto Ninja Village, with certain keywords related to each character playing a role. 

     

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    With 130 entries submitted from all parts of Japan, the 8 winners of the first Japanese Traditional Culture Grand Prix have finally been announced. The contest was spearheaded by the Japan Traditional Culture Promotion Project, established in May 2020 as a collaborative effort among companies, associations, and local governments to establish a sustainable framework for the continued development of Japanese traditional culture.

     

    Grand Prix Winner: Nakagawa Woodcrafts Hira Studio “Wave” series (left) “YORISIRO” series (right)

     

    The winner of the top prize was Nakagawa Woodcrafts Hira Studio, in which the craftsmen still use a 700-year-old technique to create their famous wooden buckets. These buckets, once used for storing rice and miso, are still used today for a variety of different purposes, from bathing to cooling champagne! In stepping away from their typical works, the Nakagawa Woodcrafts studio created the more freeform “Wave” series, and the name surely fits–each bucket looks too free to have been manmade. The “YORISIRO” series, rather, keeps the natural curvature of the wood. Both are signature pieces of traditional Japanese artisanal culture.

     

     

    Runner-up: Cubism in Calligraphy “Natural Stance,” Atelier Sisyu, Sisyu

     

     

    Excellent Award: Kyo Braided Cords Sanjiku-Kumiori “Kujaku Kouki,” Saiko Ltd., Koichiro Murokado

     

     

    Excellent Award: Structured System “Kumiko Endurance Wall,” Tosa Kumiko Co., Daisuke Iwamoto

     

    Excellence Award: Porcelain “Yuragi” Hiroshi Taruta

     

    Excellence Award: Lacquer Art “Tataeru” Shinsuke Aoki. 

     

     

    Excellent Student Award: Picture Frame “KOZAI” Ryohei Nomura. 

     

     

    Special Award: Rinku, a group of young female craftswomen from the Toukai region

     

    The Japan Traditional Culture Promotion Project began this contest as a way to honor outstanding works from creators around Japan. The jury consists of 18 people from various fields, including Richard Collasse, the Chairman of Chanel LLC, and popular model Kozue Akimoto. A collection of online presentations and interviews with the winners is planned in future events, and the project aims to help these artists continue to work sustainably. The second round of applications will open in November 2021.

     

  • Anime Theme Park Nijigen no Mori to Hold Second Kakashi & Obito-themed Escape Game

    20.August.2021 | ANIME&GAME / SPOT

    A special event is coming to the Naruto-themed area of Nijigen no Mori, an anime theme park located on Awaji Island in Hyogo prefecture! The Naruto Shippuden x Escape Game: #009 Kakashi & Obito event is taking place from August 21 to October 10!

     

    A look at NARUTO & BORUTO Shinobizato

    A look at the game

    Participation bonus: 4 special wooden phone straps with new illustrations

     

    The first escape game in the series was held in 2020 to positive feedback. It was first held to celebrate Kakashi’s birthday, which is September 15, and all visuals of both him and Obito are completely new and made for the event. 

     

    Guests can also write their celebratory messages on special ‘petal stickers’ and place them on the character panel of their choice!

     

    Would you like to come celebrate Kakashi’s birthday? 

     

    ©Masashi Kishimoto /Shueisha・TV Tokyo・Pierrot

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