This charming omiyage kokeshi doll features a hand-painted depiction of 音戸大橋 (Ondo Ōhashi), the iconic red arched bridge located in Kure, Hiroshima Prefecture. The bridge, completed in 1961, is a vital connection between the Kure mainland and Kurahashi Island, and is known for its dramatic curvature designed to allow ships to pass beneath.
The kokeshi's rounded head is topped with a black cap and decorated with green ribbon motifs on the sides, giving it a distinctive local character. The cylindrical body retains the natural texture of the wood bark and showcases a beautifully rendered scene of the Ondo Ōhashi spanning across the bay, with stylized waves and surrounding hills in soft colors.
This kokeshi captures both the charm of regional Japanese craftsmanship and a specific sense of place, making it a delightful souvenir that celebrates the engineering beauty and landscape of the Seto Inland Sea.
