This is a vintage Zao-style kokeshi doll by Atsuo Tanaka (田中敦夫, 1938–2003), a craftsman deeply rooted in the Yamagata kokeshi tradition. Featuring a high black crown hairstyle, expressive eyes, and boldly painted red and green chrysanthemum motifs cascading down the body, this piece reflects the influence of his teacher Saito Genkichi while also exhibiting Tanaka’s own refined sense of balance and vivid color.
Atsuo Tanaka was born in Yonezawa City and began his woodcarving apprenticeship in 1957 under Saito Genkichi in Zao Takayu. He started producing kokeshi dolls the following year, and after completing his training, he opened his own shop in 1963. Even after his master’s passing, Tanaka continued preserving the Genkichi and Saito Matsuji styles, later opening his own studio in Zao Onsen in 1974. His work is known for its precision, warmth, and continuity of the Zao tradition. Tanaka passed away in 2003, having left a significant mark on the world of traditional kokeshi.
