RARE FIND CHIYOMATSU KANO KOKESHI DOLLS

Chiyomatsu Kano began creating Sosaku dolls around 1953. A multi-award-winning artist, Kano-san demonstrated a masterful ability to sculpt forms that harmonize with the intrinsic beauty of wood. His dolls often feature simple yet expressive faces, utilizing the distinctive hitofude-me—the “one-stroke eye”—a hallmark of minimalist Japanese design. Many of his works incorporate floral motifs in a range of styles, celebrating the beauty of Japan’s changing seasons. Favoring only a few native woods, such as birch (shirakaba) and beech (buna-zai), Kano elevated their natural character through refined carving and graphic detailing, blending traditional sensibilities with a contemporary spirit.

This Sosaku doll by Chiyomatsu Kano stands 21 cm tall and is in excellent condition—a rare find, especially as two identical dolls have been preserved so well. While there are some minor age spots consistent with natural aging, the wood shows no dents or craters, preserving the artist’s delicate carving and finish. Each doll bears Chiyomatsu Kano’s signature and hanko stamp on the underside, confirming their authenticity.