Yamanaka Sanpei - Pair of vintage kokeshi dolls

A pair of miniature kokeshi dolls hand-painted by Japanese artisan Yamanaka Sanpei, preserved in their original box

A pair of vintage kokeshi dolls signed by Yamanaka Sanpei

This pair of miniature vintage kokeshi dolls was hand-turned and hand-painted by the Japanese artisan Yamanaka Sanpei, from Yonezawa in Yamagata Prefecture, known for his creative (sōsaku) style kokeshi, which are freer in form and pattern than traditional kokeshi tied to a specific region.

Born in the 19th century in the mountain villages of Tohoku, hand-crafted by wood-turning artisans (kijishi) and sold as souvenirs to visitors of hot springs (onsen), kokeshi have over time become a symbol of wishes for health and happiness given to children.

This pair features a cluster of small hand-painted flowers on the chest: pink on the larger kokeshi and orange on the smaller one.

A vintage pair to display as a duo, in their original box

Ideal for display side-by-side on a shelf, desk, or bookcase, these two miniature kokeshi dolls add an authentic touch of Japanese decoration to any interior.

The larger kokeshi retains a yellow paper label reading "赤倉" (Akakura), likely sold as a souvenir near this Japanese spa town. Like all the vintage kokeshi offered in our antique shop, this pair shows slight marks consistent with its age and years in storage: we invite you to carefully observe the photos before purchasing, as they accurately reflect its condition. Only one set is available.

Specifications

• Pair of 2 miniature vintage kokeshi dolls, 7 cm and 5 cm in height
• Hand-turned and hand-painted wood
• Created by Japanese artisan Yamanaka Sanpei, creative style (sōsaku) kokeshi
• Cluster of small hand-painted flowers on the chest (pink on the large one, orange on the small one)
• Delivered in their original cardboard box, printed with "里心" (Satogokoro)
• Vintage kokeshi: slight signs of wear consistent with age, see photos
• Only one set available