This Kokeshi was crafted by Sekiguchi Tao in the 1970’s to celebrate a folk tale about a young girl, called Princess Kaguya, who was found inside a glowing bamboo shoot. She was remarkably beautiful and became known as the protector of the bamboo grove and of Sanuki no Miyatsuko, the cutter who found and adopted her.
 
The young girl is peeking out of the top of her kimono, painted in vermillion lacquer with darker bamboo leaf accents. One of the pieces is stamped with Sekiguchi Tao’s signature while the other doll is unsigned.
 
These vintage Japanese kokeshi dolls are crafted from solid wood that has been sun dried for six to twelve months and adorned with hand-painted details. This kokeshi doll set is available individually for purchase, but can also be displayed together as a set (as seen in the last photo).
 
These dolls are in good vintage condition. The signed doll has a minor chip on the top of her head, while the unsigned doll is in near-mint condition. Please review all photographs and feel free to reach out with any inquiries.
 
 
What is a Kokeshi doll?
Kokeshi dolls, originating from the northeastern region of Japan, have been cherished for over 150 years as children's toys. Handmade from wood that has typicaly been dried for 6 -12 months, these dolls feature a simple trunk and head with delicate painted lines to highlight the face. Typically adorned with floral and ring designs in red, black, and occasionally other colors like green, purple, blue, or yellow inks, these dolls are then coated with a layer of wax. Traditional styles of kokeshi dolls are characterized by their long and narrow shape, an absence of arms or legs, and color patterns that have been passed down and preserved.  'Creative kokeshi', on the other hand, are another style created with free and creative ideas, without being bound to traditional or regional styles. Since the 1950s, makers have signed their kokeshi dolls, often on the bottom and sometimes on the back.