This traditional Naruko Kokeshi is attributed to Takahashi Takezo (高橋武蔵, 1888–1969), an important early craftsman of the Naruko tradition whose career spanned much of the first half of the 20th century.
Born on November 29, 1888, in Naruko, Takezo was the eldest son of Kamezaburo Takahashi, a farmer who also practiced woodturning. He learned turning techniques from his father and is said to have begun making and selling kokeshi around 1902, when he was still only about fifteen years old. Following the destructive Naruko flood of 1910, he travelled to Kaminoyama, where he worked under Komatsu Tomosaburo, and later visited other woodcraft centres including Miyajima, Hakone, and Togatta, experiences that helped broaden and refine his technique.
This example has the strong, restrained character associated with classic Naruko work. The tall cylindrical body is decorated with a sequence of bold red floral-like motifs, separated by areas of exposed natural wood and subtle green accents. Fine concentric red bands around the neck and base emphasize the clean turned form and create a balanced vertical rhythm.
The large rounded head is especially expressive, with a softly smiling face, arched brows, narrow eyes, and a small red mouth. The hairstyle is painted in deep black with a central topknot-like form and red accents, giving the doll an elegant yet very direct folk-art presence. The slightly faded pigments and gently aged wood surface further enhance its historical character.
Size: 8 x 8 x 29cm
