This elegant Sōsaku Kokeshi by renowned artist Midori Takizawa (滝沢美ど里) beautifully captures the refined sensitivity and quiet warmth that define her work. Slender and gracefully sculpted, the doll features an elongated silhouette with softly curved contours, embodying the understated sophistication characteristic of postwar creative kokeshi design.
The figure is adorned with bold black geometric bands decorated with delicate white chrysanthemum-like motifs, creating a striking contrast against the natural wood surface. The composition feels both modern and deeply rooted in Japanese aesthetics, balancing simplicity with decorative elegance. Its gently tilted head, painted in soft pink tones and finished with a serene expression, gives the piece a contemplative and poetic presence.
This kokeshi originates from Ikaho Onsen (伊香保温泉) in Gunma Prefecture, one of Japan’s most historic hot spring towns and an important center for creative kokeshi culture during the Shōwa era. Known for its stone stairway streets, nostalgic atmosphere, and thriving souvenir craft industry, Ikaho became closely associated with the rise of artistic and experimental sōsaku kokeshi production in postwar Japan.
Midori Takizawa is recognized as both an accomplished kokeshi artist and an influential judge within the Japanese kokeshi world. The artist served for many years as a judge for the prestigious All Japan Kokeshi Doll Competition. During the height of Japan’s postwar Creative Kokeshi (Sōsaku Kokeshi) movement — particularly from the 1960s through the 1980s — Takizawa helped shape and promote the evolving artistic direction of the medium.
Artist's original creations, often referred to as “Midori Kokeshi,” are admired for their gentle, minimalist expressions and their ability to preserve the warmth of natural wood while introducing a distinctly modern sensibility. Rather than relying on elaborate ornamentation, the dolls convey emotion through graceful form, subtle balance, and carefully restrained decoration.
Size: 4 x 4 x 23cm
