This Zao kokeshi by Shoichi Okazaki embodies the painterly charm and serene beauty of the traditional kokeshi of Yamagata Prefecture. With a gentle expression and stylized bangs framing the doll’s round face, it features bold red and black chrysanthemum patterns blooming across both the head and body, a common motif in Zao kokeshi, symbolizing seasonal beauty and grace.
Shoichi Okazaki was born into a distinguished lineage of kokeshi artisans in Onogawa Onsen, Yonezawa City, Yamagata Prefecture — an area deeply rooted in the Zao kokeshi tradition. His mother, Kikuko, was the daughter of Okazaki Hisataro, a prominent kokeshi maker, and his father Naoshi Okazaki also carried on the family craft.
From around 1960, after finishing high school, Shoichi trained under his father and gradually developed his own unique style while also reviving earlier family models from Hisataro and Eijiro. Though his overall production was modest, his work was highly regarded for its quality and adherence to traditional craftsmanship.
Tragically, his career was cut short when he passed away unexpectedly at the young age of 55 due to anaphylactic shock after a second bee sting while working. His passing was a great loss to the kokeshi community, as he was considered a skilled and sensitive artisan, dedicated to preserving the Zao legacy.
