A Naruko kokeshi by Matsuko Takahashi captures the soft charm and restraint typical of the Naruko tradition. The doll is gracefully turned with a subtle flare at the base, and painted in faded reds and earth tones that softly blend into the woodgrain, a result of time and aging that adds to its nostalgic beauty. The expression is warm and understated, with gently arched brows and a delicate smile. Her signature style features minimal but expressive facial details, capturing a sense of quiet dignity.
Matsuko Takahashi (1920–2005) was born in Naruko, Miyagi Prefecture, into a family deeply rooted in the kokeshi tradition. After working during the war years and raising her children, she returned to Naruko in 1950 and began crafting kokeshi around 1952. Initially focused on souvenir dolls, her interest shifted to traditional forms. By 1956, she was painting and decorating traditional Naruko kokeshi on lathed wood provided by local artisans. She was part of a multi-generational kokeshi lineage, her daughter Masako married fellow kokeshi artist Takahashi Teruyuki, and her son Yoshikazu also became a maker—making her an influential and respected figure in the Naruko kokeshi community.
