This kokeshi doll represents the Yamagata (also known as Yamagata-sakari or Zao-takayu) style, crafted by veteran artisan Keizaburou Kamio 神尾敬三郎, born in 1935. Known for their slender silhouettes, delicate facial features, and bright floral patterns, Yamagata-style kokeshi are beloved for their softness and refined balance and this piece is a beautiful example of that tradition.
The doll features a narrow, slightly curved body, tapering into a simple rounded head. The facial expression is subtle and serene, with finely drawn eyes, arched brows, and short side-painted hair, giving the doll a quiet and composed character. The body is decorated with three bands of crimson-red floral motifs, likely stylized cherry blossoms or plum flowers—classic elements in Yamagata designs—accented by red rings at the neck and base. The minimal color palette and polished wood grain give this piece an understated beauty that captures the heart of Yamagata kokeshi.
Keizaburou Kamio was born in 1935 in Yamagata City, Yamagata Prefecture. He was a long-time student and apprentice of Koukei Kobayashi (小林光慶), one of the most prominent masters of Yamagata-style kokeshi. Kamio began making kokeshi in earnest in the 1960s and developed a personal style marked by clean lines, floral ornamentation, and a sense of natural softness. His work has been exhibited at various folk craft fairs, and he is regarded as one of the important postwar successors of the Yamagata kokeshi tradition.
