This Sōsaku Kokeshi is a refined work rooted deeply in traditional aesthetics, presented together with its original wooden storage box and accompanying explanatory leaflet. The doll is characterized by its slender, cylindrical body and the striking vertical grain lines that run uninterrupted from head to base, allowing the natural beauty of the wood to become the primary visual element. This vertical rhythm gives the figure a quiet dignity and a strong sense of craftsmanship, emphasizing material over ornament.
The face is rendered with great restraint: gently arched brows, softly rounded eyes, and a small red mouth convey a calm, introspective expression. The hairstyle, painted in glossy black with subtle accents, frames the face simply and elegantly. On the torso, a small rectangular decorative panel is applied, featuring a delicate motif that provides a single focal point amid the otherwise unadorned surface. This minimal decoration heightens the sense of balance and serenity rather than distracting from it.
The wooden box bears the inscription 「三百年の伝統 又五郎こけし」, meaning “Three Hundred Years of Tradition – Matagorō Kokeshi.” This indicates that the piece is associated with the long-established Matagorō lineage or workshop, known for preserving classical techniques and forms over generations. The enclosed leaflet further contextualizes the work within regional craft history, underscoring its connection to traditional woodturning practices and the cultural continuity of kokeshi making.
