This vintage Tsuchiyu-style kokeshi was crafted by Kazunori Chinnohara (陳野原和紀, 1929–1998), a revivalist of the Sakuma Kumematsu lineage and a beloved figure in the Tsuchiyu kokeshi world.
The doll features the classic cylindrical form and narrow shoulders characteristic of the Tsuchiyu style. Its head bears a wide, joyful expression with thick black hair, crowned by a bold red hair ribbon motif. The body is simply decorated with alternating red bands—an iconic and traditional design that echoes early 20th-century Tsuchiyu aesthetics.
Kazunori Chinnohara was born and raised in Tsuchiyu and returned to his hometown in the 1960s after working in forestry and industry. Inspired by kokeshi artisan Tokio Shikama, he dedicated himself to reviving the nearly lost style of Sakuma Kumematsu kokeshi. Trained under Hiromichi Saitō, he eventually became a respected figure in his own right, known for his warm personality and expressive craftsmanship.
This doll is a beautiful example of his legacy—an homage to Kumematsu’s rustic elegance and Chinnohara’s effort to preserve and reinterpret Tsuchiyu tradition.
