A rare Tsugaru-style kokeshi from 1964 by the pioneering craftsman Gonzaburō Yamaya (山谷権三郎, 1901–1965), a foundational figure in the development of the Tsugaru-kei kokeshi tradition in northern Japan.
The face is charmingly minimalist, painted with delicate eyebrows, small dot eyes, and a subtle smile. The body, slightly flared toward the base, features hand-drawn seasonal motifs—a maple leaf and plum blossom—executed in a fine, black-ink line style that was characteristic of Yamaya's work. The deep, natural tones of the aged wood enhance the sense of history and handcraft.
Gonzaburō Yamaya was born in Kuroishi, Aomori Prefecture in 1901. Initially trained in the production of utilitarian wooden items, he transitioned into kokeshi-making and became one of the first artisans to establish the Tsugaru style as a formal kokeshi lineage in the early 20th century. His work was shaped by both the practical woodturning traditions of the Tsugaru region and the aesthetics of other established kokeshi styles, resulting in a form that was at once unique and rooted in broader folk craft values.
He is recognized as a key figure in the spread and standardization of Tsugaru-style dolls and passed on his techniques to younger generations, helping to solidify the tradition as a regional art. His kokeshi are now treasured not only for their historical value but also for their honest simplicity and deeply nostalgic character.
