This is a Naruko-style kokeshi doll by Setsuko Hayasaka (早坂せつ子, 1935–), a rare female artisan in the traditional kokeshi world. Measuring 18cm in height, the doll is characterized by its vibrant floral motifs in rich red and black tones, with large chrysanthemum-like blooms adorning the body. Her delicate facial expression, framed by bold black hair and crowned with red petal accents, radiates charm and quiet elegance.
Setsuko Hayasaka began painting kokeshi in the mid-1950s, decorating the wooden forms turned by her husband, Takashi Hayasaka, a Naruko woodworker. Though Takashi had initially only crafted the shapes, it was Setsuko’s hand-painting that brought their dolls to life. Her natural talent for brushwork evolved through observation and practice, and her decorated kokeshi soon gained attention from collectors. By the late 1960s, the Hayasakas were officially recognized in Kokeshi Techo, and they continued their craft for decades, later joined by their son Toshinari.
