This omiyage kokeshi doll represents the Dancing Girl of Izu (伊豆の踊り子), a beloved figure from the Izu Peninsula, and is specifically from Inatori (稲取), a coastal town in eastern Shizuoka Prefecture.
Dressed in traditional attire, the doll carries a sugegasa (woven straw hat) inscribed with the phrase "伊豆の踊り子" and "稲取温泉", linking her to the iconic imagery from Yasunari Kawabata’s celebrated novella "The Izu Dancer" (Izu no Odoriko). The story, first published in 1926, tells of a traveling student who encounters a troupe of dancers while journeying through Izu, capturing a poetic blend of youthful longing and fleeting encounters.
This kokeshi captures the innocence and elegance of the dancing girl, with delicate hand-painted features and vibrant colors, reflecting the charm of Inatori’s hot spring culture and local folk traditions. The doll stands approximately 20 cm tall, mounted on a slice of natural wood, and makes for a beautiful souvenir or collectible that evokes nostalgia, literature, and the timeless beauty of Izu.
