This is a traditional Yamagata kokeshi crafted by Kiyoshi Kobayashi (小林清, 1951–), a third-generation kokeshi maker from Yamagata Prefecture. Born on March 26, 1951, Kiyoshi is the eldest son of Seijiro Kobayashi, a respected woodcarver, and the grandson of Kobayashi Kichisaburo. Kiyoshi began his journey into kokeshi-making in 1976 under the guidance of his father and established his own workshop and home in Hinokicho, Yamagata City, in 1979.
This kokeshi doll embodies the elegance of the Yamagata tradition with its cylindrical body, floral motifs, and a rounded head adorned with gentle features and stylized hair. The hand-painted flowers—rendered in striking reds and accented with yellow and green—wrap around the body, capturing the natural beauty often associated with Yamagata-style kokeshi. The doll radiates warmth and grace, reflecting Kiyoshi Kobayashi's refined craftsmanship and deep-rooted family legacy.
A beautiful example of folk artistry, this piece not only represents the Yamagata tradition but also tells the story of a lineage devoted to preserving and evolving Japan's kokeshi heritage.
