Modern Sosaku kokeshi by Yuko Yamazaki is part of her Halloween Series - With box

Yamiyo – “Dark Night” from the Halloween series is a beautifully hand-painted kokeshi that blends traditional Japanese doll aesthetics with a playful, slightly spooky seasonal atmosphere.

The doll features a serene, sleeping figure wrapped in a pale cloak, creating a calm and gentle contrast to the Halloween scenery painted around her. The lower half of the kokeshi depicts a dramatic nighttime landscape glowing in warm orange and deep black tones, evoking a dark autumn evening. Silhouettes of haunted houses, twisted trees, and graveyard crosses appear against a fiery sunset sky, while bats glide across the surface, reinforcing the mysterious mood.

On another side, delicate details such as a spider descending from a pastel-colored web add a subtle, whimsical touch rather than a frightening one, maintaining the doll’s overall softness. The back shows a glowing full moon surrounded by flying bats, completing the immersive night scene.

Despite the Halloween imagery, Yamiyo conveys peace rather than fear — the character’s closed eyes and gentle expression suggest quiet rest in the midst of the dark night. The piece balances cuteness and seasonal mystery, making it both decorative and comforting.

Overall, Yamiyo is a charming fusion of traditional kokeshi craftsmanship and modern Halloween storytelling — atmospheric, playful, and soothing at the same time.

Height: 21,5cm

Weight: 670g

Yuko Yamazaki was born in 1956 in Tokyo, She was the apprentice of master Takashi Yoshida (1948-2007) She has clearly inherited his style, with her own experience and creativity she makes real masterpieces! Yuko already has a lot of awards behind her name! 

Yuko also is a Instructor of the Creative Kokeshi Classroom and she is a Member of Japan Creative Kokeshi Craft Association.

 Award History:

1999 - The National Modern kokeshi Exhibition, Tokyo Shimbun Award.

2003 - National Modern kokeshi Exhibition, Kokeshi crafts association Award.

2004 - The Minister of education award, in the National Modern kokeshi Exhibition (Harunoro).

2010 - The mayor of Maebashi prize, All Japan kokeshi contest 2010.

2012 - All japan kokeshi kojishi competition, Sennan Shinkin Bank prize. 

2018 - The Governor of Gunma Prefecture award, All Japan Kokeshi contest 2018.

2019 - All Japan kokeshi contest National Chamber of comemerce and industry award