A vintage handcrafted kokeshi doll depicts a graceful young girl playing with a red string cat’s cradle (ayatori) game, accompanied by a decorative ball and a gold folding screen backdrop. She wears a classic chonmage hairstyle adorned with a tiny gold ornament.
Created by 玉仁 (Gyokujin), a known name in souvenir kokeshi craftsmanship, this piece reflects delicate artistry and nostalgic postwar charm. The wooden base is inscribed with 伊吹山 (Ibuki-yama) a scenic and sacred mountain in Shiga Prefecture, revered in Japanese folklore. A delightful example of 20th-century omiyage (souvenir) kokeshi, this piece celebrates traditional childhood play and feminine poise, making it a lovely collectible for kokeshi enthusiasts and fans of Japanese folk crafts.
