This is a Naruko-style Kokeshi by Katakura Tomio (片倉富夫, 1936–2019), a dedicated artisan whose work reflects the postwar evolution of the Naruko tradition.
The doll features a classic Naruko silhouette, with a rounded head and flared body. Its expression is gentle and cheerful, with fine brushwork detailing the characteristic arched eyebrows and smiling eyes. The head is framed by bold red floral hair motifs, while the body is adorned with large, stylized chrysanthemum blossoms in vivid red and green—an iconic design within Naruko kokeshi, symbolizing seasonal beauty and vitality.
Katakura Tomio was born into a family of industrialists in Naruko but turned to craftsmanship in his youth. After training under Onuma Chikara at age 17, he initially set aside kokeshi-making but returned to it in 1972. Though apprenticed in the Riemon line, Katakura developed his own interpretation of the "common style" Naruko, favoring simplified, symmetrical floral patterns and softer expressions that appealed to postwar sensibilities.
His legacy lives on in pieces like this—an elegant example of mid-20th-century Naruko kokeshi that bridges tradition and modern appeal.
