Vintage Creative Kokeshi Doll - Signed Kazuo Takamizawa

This is a charming, hand-crafted "Creative" (Sosaku) Kokeshi doll, standing 27cm (approximately 10.6 inches) tall. This style of Kokeshi is known for its artistic and free-form design, departing from traditional rigid shapes.

This particular doll is made from a light-colored wood, likely dogwood or maple, showcasing natural wood grain throughout. It features distinctively large, rounded proportions. The oversized, spherical head has a serene, eyes-closed facial expression rendered in simple black lines.

A key feature is the stylized hair, depicted as etched lines. She wears a tall, decorative topknot painted with an intricate orange crisscross or basket-weave pattern. At the base of the topknot is a small, shiny, red lacquer berry accent.

The body of the doll is beautifully carved and hand-painted with a vibrant floral motif, featuring bright red camellia blossoms and green leaves. The base of the doll is wider and provides a stable foundation.

For collectors, this is a significant piece. The bottom of the base is clearly marked with the artisan's signature (Kazuo Takamizawa) in black ink and an authentic red hanko (seal) stamp, verifying its handcrafted origin and authorship. This unique piece would be a wonderful addition to any Japanese art or doll collection.