Kokeshi doll – Yajiro by Kamata Umeko (鎌田うめ子) – large (30cm)

Large (30cm) hand-made traditional Kokeshi doll with hand-painted design.

This vintage piece has been turned, scribed and painted by hand and has real character, along with some light wear that gives it a great patina. It has the artist’s signature on the base (Kamata Umeko 鎌田うめ子), she uses this painted pattern that is unique to her.

The Yajiro style includes a head painted with multiple rings that look like a beret with wide lines on the body and designs on the collar and skirt painted freehand.

Kokeshi are simple wooden toys that have been crafted for more than 150 years as children’s dolls, mementos and good luck charms. These simple but very decorative gems originate from Tohoku-chiho region of North-East Japan. Due to the many different sizes, shapes and designs available, they look great as a collection.

Period: post 1960s
Dimensions: H: 30cm
Condition: Good – no cracks, some scuffs. Natural age-related wear,  some discolouration to the paintwork (see photos). Wood grain visible underneath the left eye.
Weight: 0.51kg