This Naruko kokeshi was crafted by Takashi Endo (遠藤孝志, 1949–), a dedicated artisan who carries forward the distinguished lineage of Naruko doll-making. With its serene smile, soft gaze, and vibrant floral pattern, the doll embodies the warmth and gentle elegance characteristic of the Naruko tradition. The meticulously hand-painted chrysanthemums, rendered in deep red and green tones, enhance the cylindrical form with a sense of seasonal beauty and balance. The simple, rounded head is framed by a dynamic red-and-black painted hairstyle that emphasizes the doll’s expressive, youthful face.
Takashi Endo was born on September 6, 1949, in the mountainous village of Onikobe, Tamatsukuri County, Miyagi Prefecture. Raised as the eldest son of a farming family, he later turned to traditional craftsmanship and began studying woodturning in 1979 under master Tomio Katakura, a prominent figure in the Naruko kokeshi lineage. After four years of training, Endo established his own independent workshop in Onikobe in 1983, where he began creating kokeshi that blend the stylistic teachings of his mentor with his own refined sensibility.
Endo’s work inherits the craftsmanship passed down from Chikara Onuma to Tomio Katakura, and then to himself—a clear line of artistic tradition within the Naruko school. His kokeshi are noted for their gentle facial expressions and balanced forms, adhering closely to the classical Naruko aesthetic while remaining distinctive in their refined detail and compositional harmony.
