A Hijiori kokeshi by Seiichi Suzuki 鈴木征一 features an elegant depiction of cherry blossoms (sakura), gracefully blooming across the cylindrical body in vivid red brushstrokes. The kokeshi wears a subtle smile, with carefully painted eyes and refined black hair that frames the face symmetrically. The blossoming sakura flowers symbolizing springtime renewal and fleeting beauty.
Crafted in the traditional Hijiori style, this doll reflects regional characteristics: bold coloration, straightforward form, and a strong sense of folk craft tradition. True to Hijiori customs, many of Suzuki's works—including this one—show careful attention to structure, proportion, and symmetry, all while celebrating simplicity and warmth. The body’s surface retains the natural texture of the wood, finished with a light polish that enhances the grain without hiding it.
Seiichi Suzuki was born in Tokyo in 1944 but moved to Hijiori Onsen at the age of five, where he would go on to become one of the last remaining traditional kokeshi artisans of the region. After various jobs, he began woodcarving under Koji Okuyama in 1972 and went independent five years later. By 1978, Suzuki was producing and selling his own “Yamagata-style” kokeshi dolls, rooted in the Hijiori lineage.
Today, Seiichi Suzuki is the last kokeshi artisan still working in Hijiori Onsen, a region known for its deep connection to healing waters and folk tradition. His dedication to preservation and innovation has earned him national recognition, including the Top Prize at the National Kokeshi Competition in Shiraishi (2019).
