Kokeshi Doll Painting

The Japanese Friendship Garden and Museum is hosting a Kokeshi Doll Painting workshop on Saturday, October 17, from 1:00 PM to 2:30 PM. It's held at the Education Center, 2215 Pan American Road East, in Balboa Park.

The session is all about kokeshi dolls, the traditional wooden figures from Japan's Tohoku region. You'll start by learning about their history, their cultural significance, and how they're tied to the region's traditional craftsmanship. Once you've got the background, you'll design your own kokeshi-inspired doll to take home. You don't need any artistic experience to join in—the focus is on the process rather than a finished masterpiece.

The workshop is part of the museum's monthly demonstrations of Japanese arts, so it's one of several hands-on sessions they run throughout the year. If you've spent time at the garden, you know the Education Center is where they bring in these specific crafts for people to try out rather than just look at.

It runs from 1:00 PM to 2:30 PM on Saturday, October 17, at the Japanese Friendship Garden and Museum Education Center in Balboa Park, and costs between $20 and $35.