A pair of sōsaku kokeshi, modern creative kokeshi dolls. It crafted in a minimalist, rounded style. Each figure has a large, unpainted wooden head with simple hand-painted facial dots that give them a gentle, almost wistful expression. Their bodies are smoothly turned and stained in rich colors: one in red, the other in green.
This pair comes from Hanamaki 花巻, Iwate Prefecture, an area known for its folk craft traditions and for producing distinctive creative kokeshi. It is not one of the “traditional” kokeshi-producing centers like Naruko or Tsuchiyu, but it became known in the mid-20th century for creative, experimental, often whimsical kokeshi made by artisan woodworkers rather than hereditary doll-making families.
Both dolls stand on small split-leg bases characteristic of certain mid-century creative kokeshi forms. The wood shows natural patina, light wear, and variations in grain, all adding to their handmade appeal.
Together, these two figures capture the warmth, simplicity, and playful personality typical of early sōsaku kokeshi from the Hanamaki region.
