A vintage Omiyage Kokeshi representing Uji Musume (宇治娘), a traditional tea-picking girl from Uji, Kyoto Prefecture, one of Japan's most celebrated tea-producing regions.
This delightful wooden doll features a rounded head with gently smiling eyes, delicate black hair, and a cheerful expression. She wears a traditional white cloth headscarf, a dark indigo kimono with subtle floral patterns, and a bright yellow sash. Her outfit is completed with a purple apron and colourful red-and-white fabric around the lower body, giving the piece a lovely rustic character.
Uji (宇治) has been renowned for its high-quality green tea for centuries, particularly matcha and gyokuro. Traditionally, women working in the tea fields wore practical clothing, headscarves, and aprons while carefully picking tender tea leaves by hand.
The image of the Uji tea-picking girl (茶摘み娘) became an enduring symbol of the region's tea culture, inspiring traditional folk dolls and decorative souvenirs that celebrate the beauty of rural Japanese life.
Unlike conventional wooden kokeshi, this charming Omiyage doll combines a simple painted wooden face with carefully arranged miniature textiles, reflecting the creativity and nostalgic appeal of Japanese souvenir craftsmanship.
Size: 3 x 2 x 9cm
