Front view of an 18cm Naruko style kokeshi doll by Kakizawa Kokeshi Studio, showing a cylindrical pale wood body hand-painted with large red chrysanthemums and teal leaves, and a rounded head with black fringe detail and composed facial features.

Kakizawa Kokeshi Doll 18cm (7.1 in)

Name: Kakizawa Kokeshi Doll 18cm (7.1 in)
Brand: Kakizawa Kokeshi Studio
SKU: kzk080010101
Price: 69.00 USD
Availability: InStock

$69.00

Naruko kokeshi carry a feature no other regional style shares. The head, press-fitted to the body on a lathe rather than glued, emits a soft frictional squeak when turned — a sound that results directly from the precision of the join, not decoration applied after the fact. Kakizawa Kokeshi Studio has worked in this tradition since 1970, operating from Kamiyanno in Naruko Onsen, where Yoshinobu, trained under the late Kakizawa Koretaka from 1993, continues the studio's exacting approach to Naruko's most recognized motif: the large chrysanthemum, painted in red across the body with teal leaves and a pale ground, rendered with the density and layering that competition-level Naruko work demands. The face follows strict regional convention — a carefully drawn fringe across the forehead, composed features, the expression neither animated nor blank. Each doll is made entirely by a single artisan from raw wood to finished surface. This is the 18cm form.

Details

Size: H 7.1in / H 18cm
Material: Giant Dogwood

Care & Use

Display away from direct sunlight to prevent fading of the painted surface
Keep away from high humidity and moisture to avoid warping or cracking of the wood
Wipe with a soft, dry cloth only; do not use water, chemical cleaners, or abrasive materials
Do not expose to extreme temperature changes
Handle with care; the painted finish is delicate and can chip if dropped or knocked
Intended for decorative display only; not a toy
May include small parts or accessories; keep out of reach of young children to avoid choking hazard
Do not place in direct contact with other lacquered or painted surfaces for extended periods, as pigments may transfer

Check our tips for Care Information.

Kakizawa Kokeshi Doll 18cm (7.1 in)

$69.00

Meet the Artisan

Kakizawa Kokeshi Studio

Kakizawa Kokeshi was established in 1970 in Kamiyanno, Naruko Onsen, where the shop and workshop stand on opposite sides of the same road, the lathe and the storefront kept deliberately close. The studio was built around Kakizawa Koretaka, a maker of exceptional standing who held the designation of Traditional Craft Artisan and accumulated over 70 competition awards across his career, among them more than 20 ministerial prizes including recognition from the Prime Minister's Office, the Minister of Education, and the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries. That record reflected a sustained commitment to Naruko's regional conventions, particularly the large chrysanthemum motifs the studio is known for, rendered with the exactness the style demands. Koretaka passed away in June 2016. The studio continues under Kakizawa Mariko and Kakizawa Yoshinobu, who was born in 1974, trained under Koretaka after finishing high school in 1993, and has since earned his own awards at national competitions. Surrounded by the forests and seasonal rhythms of the Naruko mountains, the studio makes kokeshi intended to stand quietly beside the moments that matter: a birth, a milestone, a day when someone needed something to hold on to.