This is a stunning 1960s kokeshi doll by the elusive artisan Kobayashi-san, a maker known for producing a small but significant body of work. His dolls are particularly celebrated for the detailed and varied representations of kimono textile design, often executed with a painterly delicacy that elevates each piece into a quiet homage to traditional Japanese craftsmanship.
In this example, the kokeshi wears a striking red kimono hand-painted with scattered golden plum blossoms—a motif rich with seasonal and cultural symbolism, often representing perseverance and beauty in adversity. The floral elements are rendered in a stylised yet fluid fashion, echoing the brushstroke aesthetics found in mid-century Japanese textile prints.
Her hairstyle is as remarkable as the garment: straight-cut vertical lines cascade over the head, carefully etched to suggest layered fabric or lacquered hair, and topped with a red kanzashi-like ornament, adding an endearing touch of traditional formality. Her face is serene, with closed eyes and a soft expression—hallmarks of Kobayashi-san’s understated emotional range.
This kokeshi stands as a testament to the artist’s ability to blend minimalist form with rich cultural reference, and exemplifies the reverent dignity and humble beauty that characterises his limited, highly collectable body of work. Each of his dolls, like this one, serves as a miniature canvas recording Japan’s textile traditions of the time.
This kokeshi is in excellent condition for her age with artist's hanko stamp on the bottom and stands tall at 34cm
