This is a graceful Togatta-style kokeshi doll crafted by Konno Kashiku (今野かしく, 1931–2008), an artist known for her refined painting and deep familial ties to traditional kokeshi-making in Miyagi Prefecture. The doll features an elegant hand-painted face with a gentle smile, framed by stylized red floral motifs in the hair and expressive black sideburns—hallmarks of the Togatta lineage.
Kashiku was born into a kokeshi-making family in Togattashinchi, the daughter of respected craftsman Yoshiaki Sato. She learned the art of painting kokeshi under her father's guidance in 1950. After marrying Mikio Konno, one of Yoshiaki's apprentices, the couple opened their own workshop in Sendai in 1962. While Mikio handled the wood-turning, Kashiku continued to paint his work with finesse, becoming an artist in her own right. Her brushwork is distinguished by its lyrical quality, soft facial expressions, and classic Togatta color palette.
This piece is a beautiful representation of her artistry and a poignant example of women's vital yet often overlooked contributions to the traditional kokeshi world.
