人形・こけし
<Doll and Kokeshi>
目屋人形
Meya Ningyo


岩木山と白神山地に囲まれる西目屋村。かつては県内有数の木炭産地でもあったこの村では、昭和の初めごろまで馬車の入り込めない山岳の細道を、炭俵を背負って里に降りるモンペ姿の娘子の姿が見られました。目屋人形はそのようなかわいらしい娘子をかたどった人形です。需要の衰えや後継者不足から昭和40年代には一旦途絶えてしまいましたが、近年その再現に成功し、現在に至っています。
Meya dolls, once a beloved regional souvenir, depict young women dressed in kasuri kimono, carrying charcoal on their backs as they descend from the mountains—a scene inspired by the traditional lifestyle in the Meya region. These dolls were popular in the early Showa era but gradually faded into obscurity over time. However, in 1984, the women's division of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry revived these charming dolls, bringing back their cultural significance and preserving a piece of local heritage. Today, Meya dolls stand as a symbol of the region's history and the enduring spirit of its people.
