A vintage Yukinko Kokeshi doll, hand-carved from white birch wood in the traditional itto-bori (一刀彫) style, where the form is shaped with a single blade, leaving bold, expressive facets and an organic feel. The face of the doll peeks out from a diamond-shaped opening in the bark, a child warmly bundled against the snow, an homage to the Yukinko motif, symbolizing innocence, protection, and life in snowy regions of Japan.
The doll is painted in a vivid palette: a black robe adorned with white patterns and a base of bright yellow and red accents, evoking traditional northern winter wear. The outer bark remains intact around the head and upper body, giving a natural, rustic aesthetic unique to birch wood.
“Yukinko,” meaning “snow child,” is a beloved motif in northern Japan, especially in regions like Hokkaido and Tohoku, where winters are long and snowy. This doll captures the image of a cheerful child wrapped in warm clothing, braving the snow with joy and innocence. Often sold as a local souvenir near shrines or along temple paths, this Yukinko kokeshi is not just a decorative object but a piece of regional heritage and warmth, carved into wood.
