This Sōsaku Kokeshi by Takahashi Hashime (髙橋はしめ) created under his workshop name はしめ工房 (Hashime Kōbō) — is a beautiful representation of the artist’s refined and poetic sensibility.
The doll’s expression is serene and introspective, with delicately drawn eyes and lips that suggest quiet contentment. A soft red bow crowns her hair, while the body is adorned with a single red camellia (椿 / tsubaki), painted with tender precision. The camellia, a flower that blooms through winter, symbolizes enduring beauty and strength — themes that resonate deeply within Hashime’s body of work.
The artist’s choice to leave most of the wood surface natural allows the grain to glow warmly beneath the paint, creating harmony between material and form. Signed 「はしめ」(Hashime) near the base, this piece captures Hashime’s mastery in blending emotional subtlety with minimalist design.
Takahashi Hashime born in 1918, Takahashi Hashime was a distinguished Sōsaku Kokeshi artist active primarily during the mid-to-late Shōwa era. Working from his Hashime Kōbō (はしめ工房) studio, he became known for his calm, lyrical interpretations of the human figure — characterized by natural wood tones, elegant simplicity, and graceful hand-painted floral motifs.
Hashime’s kokeshi often reflect traditional Japanese aesthetics such as wabi-sabi (the beauty of imperfection) and shibui (understated elegance). His works evoke a gentle, meditative presence — a quiet poetry of form and feeling.
Throughout his career, Takahashi Hashime’s dolls were celebrated in regional exhibitions for their emotional warmth and painterly expression. Today, his works are treasured among collectors of Sōsaku Kokeshi for their refined craftsmanship, balanced design, and timeless serenity.
Size: 6 x 6 x 18cm
