A Yajiro-style kokeshi by Naoki Sato features a delightfully expressive face, characterized by arched brows, delicate eyes, and a small red mouth set against a soft, rounded head. The doll's body is classically shaped with a well-balanced profile, adorned with vivid red and black floral brushwork across the mid and lower sections. Fine wheel lines and traditional patterns contribute to its dignified yet approachable charm. A lovely example of postwar Yajiro craftsmanship with a nostalgic warmth and personality.
Naoki Sato 佐藤直樹 (1928–2005) was born in Kamasaki Onsen, Miyagi Prefecture, into a family of artisans. Though he began training in woodcarving in 1941, his apprenticeship was interrupted by wartime labor. He resumed kokeshi-making in 1945 but struggled to fully learn from his father, Masao, who passed away shortly after the war. Despite these challenges, Naoki continued to create kokeshi dolls and was known for his traditional Yajiro style. He temporarily paused production in the 1960s while managing a ryokan, but resumed his craft in the 1970s before retiring in 1989. He passed away in 2005 in Ibaraki Prefecture. His works remain a heartfelt tribute to the resilience of postwar artisanship.
