Vintage Japanese Kokeshi doll “Cute plum hairpin" by Miyashita Hajime.
Miyashita-san, born in Yonezawa City, Iwate, studied traditional kokeshi making under Yamagata-Sakunami master artist Kobayashi Kichitaro. He began his Sosaku career in 1959 and won many awards, including the Prime Minister's Award in 1977. Crown Prince Naruhito and Princess Masako purchased his culturally sensitive dolls in 1969. His studio was located in the city of Maebashi in Gunma Prefecture, but after it was consumed by fire in 2006, Miyashita-san retired.
