This sōsaku kokeshi titled 「寿光」 (Jukō, “Light of Longevity”) was created by Usaburō Okamoto 岡本卯三郎 (1917-2009), one of the most influential figures in the creative kokeshi movement. Standing at an impressive scale, the doll embodies Okamoto’s signature balance of bold form, refined elegance, and symbolic decoration.
The figure is carved with a powerful, gently tapered silhouette and crowned with Okamoto’s iconic rounded black coiffure, framing a serene, introspective face rendered with minimal lines and a calm, inward gaze. The deep, lustrous black ground of the body serves as a dramatic backdrop for the composition’s focal point: a large red and white plum blossom (梅) rendered with warmth and quiet strength. The plum, one of Japan’s most auspicious motifs, symbolizes perseverance, renewal, and longevity, flowering bravely in late winter before the arrival of spring—perfectly echoing the title Jukō.
The patterned textile motifs surrounding the blossom evoke traditional kimono fabrics, adding depth and rhythm without overwhelming the composition. This careful restraint is a hallmark of Okamoto’s work: decorative yet dignified, expressive yet timeless.
Notably, this design remains in continuous production by Okamoto’s descendants, a rare distinction that speaks to its enduring popularity and artistic significance. It stands as both a masterwork of mid-20th-century sōsaku kokeshi and a living legacy, connecting generations through form, symbolism, and craftsmanship.
Elegant, symbolic, and deeply rooted in Japanese aesthetics, Jukō is a quintessential example of Usaburō Okamoto’s lasting contribution to the art of creative kokeshi.
Size: 11 x 11 x 27cm
