What a subject
The Japanese art of turning is "VERY" different than the "Western" one, for starters, they generally turn on the underside of the work piece, as the wood is heading away from them, thus their technique and their tools are VERY different. They use a the cup chuck a lot, that is a chuck that the wood is driven onto, and that is all that holds it in place. Every Japanese turner makes his own tools, they have a mini version of a blacksmith shop in each turning studio, most all tools are made from carbon steel.
Yes the tool rests are made from wood, but the way they are used is NOT the same as the way we use our tool rests.
Take a look..........
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F_d59iildww
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j_R29z6UvL0
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TOezsHJsXbE
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bEqfPG5NLbU
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-dujitmBWKY
The dolls are called "Kokeshi" the wood is usually Pear or Dogwood.
>>
Here << is some very good info on how they make the dolls.
Really, the turning part of the doll making is fairly straight forward, the real art is the painting and finishing, IMHO.
The first couple of minutes of the next video feature Yasuhiro Satake.......
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=amM24hRDrNI&eurl
The story about his mother's tool rest, I'd heard that one too, but it was not "Confiscated as a Weapon" but just tossed out, as someone in baggage just thought it was an old chuck of scrap wood
Last but not least, a short article on the differences between the two kinds of turning..........
Culture Clash
I hope that answers your question Frank!