Rare Kokeshi by Miyashita Hajime, Japan.
Artisan: Miyashita Hajime.
Dimensions: height 35.5 cm, diameter 6 cm.
This rare kokeshi is beautifully designed, especially notice the details of the hairstyle.
Her kimono is adorned with a pattern of cranes.
This kokeshi bears the artist's signature.
Artisan | Woodworker: Miyashita, Hajime | 1940-2006 (retired).
Born in Yonezawa City, Iwate, Miyashita-san studied traditional kokeshi craftsmanship under the master artist Kobayashi Kichitaro from Yamagata-Sakunami. He began his Sosaku career in 1959 and garnered numerous awards, including the Prime Minister's Award in 1977. Crown Prince Naruhito and Princess Masako collected his kokeshi dolls in 1969. His workshop was located in Maebashi City in Gunma Prefecture, but after it was destroyed by fire in 2006, Miyashita-san retired.