Vintage Usaburo Kokeshi “Kaiun Uma” by Okamoto Usaburo, 1970s

Vintage kokeshi by Okamoto Usaburo, titled “Kaiun Uma” — meaning “good-fortune horse”, a motif associated with prosperity, strength and forward movement. The wooden doll has an understated cylindrical form with a dark lacquered hairstyle, fine eye lines and a subtle red mouth.

Dimensions: height 19 cm, diameter 7 cm.

The body is hand-painted with a dynamic white horse, placed beside the inscription 開運馬. A small red rising-sun motif appears on the side, adding to the auspicious Japanese character of the piece. The combination of natural wood, dark hair and the graphic horse decoration gives this compact kokeshi a strong and elegant presence.

Signed on the side and fitted with a paper label bearing Usaburo’s hanko on the underside.

Condition: very beautiful vintage condition with light signs of use consistent with age; well preserved and decoratively strong.