A Naruko kokeshi crafted by Masanori Kishi, a second-generation artisan from a distinguished Naruko kokeshi-making family. The doll features the hallmarks of the Naruko style, clean, balanced proportions, and a refined sense of simplicity.
The face is gently expressive, with a serene smile and softly sloping eyes framed by bold side bangs and a classic topknot motif. The body is adorned with a stylized floral pattern in faded red, its hand-painted strokes revealing the passage of time, adding character and wabi-sabi warmth to the piece. A subtle lathe line near the base completes the form, a traditional feature of Naruko dolls.
Masanori Kishi 岸正規 was born on March 6, 1931, in Naruko, Miyagi Prefecture, the eldest son of respected kokeshi craftsman Kishi Masao. After graduating from Furukawa Technical College in 1950, he began his apprenticeship under his father, first mastering the wood-turning techniques fundamental to kokeshi production.
By around 1963, he began painting and presenting dolls under his own name, marking the beginning of a decades-long career in traditional Naruko kokeshi. His works were featured in Kokeshi Techo 76, affirming his place among Japan’s important kokeshi artists.
In 2009, despite undergoing surgery, he made a heartfelt appearance at the Kokeshi Festival, deeply appreciated by his admirers. He passed away the following year, just a day before his 79th birthday. Though his son Masaaki was positioned as his successor, kokeshi production was paused as Masaaki shifted to a different career.
Size: 5 x 5 x 15cm
