A Naruko-style kokeshi by Tokio Takase features bold floral motifs and expressive, traditional brushwork. The doll’s serene facial expression is delicately rendered, framed by glossy black hair and crowned with vibrant red detailing. The body is adorned with richly colored stylized chrysanthemums and elegant black foliage, extending from a warm natural wood base that reflects the artist’s mastery of the lathe and brush.
Despite its compact size, this kokeshi radiates presence, an embodiment of Naruko tradition with a personal twist. It captures the quiet, rustic beauty of Japan’s northern folk art heritage while celebrating the Takase family’s multi-generational legacy. Tokio Takase was born on March 18, 1928, in Yasumiya, Towada-machi, Aomori Prefecture, into a family deeply involved in the kokeshi tradition. His father, Yoshiharu Takase, operated a souvenir shop and created kokeshi dolls, passing down the craft to his son.
Tokio began woodcarving at a young age and, after a brief period producing kokeshi dolls in the 1960s, returned to it full-time in 1969 as his father aged. From that point on, he balanced kokeshi production with managing the family souvenir and boat rental business near Lake Towada. A dedicated regional craftsman, he also mentored Kazumasa Kobayashi, a relative who later carried on the tradition. Takase’s works are valued for their strong forms, vivid floral decoration, and the quiet spirit they convey. He remained active until his later years and passed away in 2011 at the age of 84.
