This Naruko kokeshi by Kunio Sugai 須貝国男 (1942-) is a graceful example of the refined Takagame tradition, combining simplicity, balance, and warm hand-painted character.
The doll features a softly rounded head with a gentle smiling expression, delicately painted eyes, and fine black side locks beneath a traditional Naruko-style hairstyle. The expression is calm and cheerful, conveying the quiet warmth often associated with classic Naruko kokeshi. The smooth natural wood surface enhances the softness of the face and gives the piece an understated elegance.
Its slender body is decorated with a flowing arrangement of vivid red floral motifs accented by dark leaves, painted with confident yet delicate brushwork. The composition rises vertically along the body, creating a rhythmic movement that complements the doll’s graceful silhouette. The restrained use of decoration allows the natural wood grain to remain visible, a hallmark appreciated in traditional Naruko craftsmanship.
Kunio Sugai was born in 1942 in Onikobe, Naruko, Miyagi Prefecture. In 1957, he entered apprenticeship at the famous Takagame workshop under Musashi Takahashi, where he mainly trained with Takeo Takahashi and Shogo Takahashi. Initially specializing in turning wooden blanks for kokeshi production, he gradually expanded into painting dolls himself from around 1961 onward. In 1977, he established his own independent workshop near Naruko Country Club and began producing kokeshi fully under his own name.
This piece reflects Sugai’s strong foundation in the Takagame lineage — elegant proportions, balanced brushwork, and a gentle personality expressed through simple forms. A lovely vintage Naruko kokeshi that embodies both the discipline and warmth of one of Naruko’s most respected traditional workshops.
Size: 5 x 5 x 18cm
