vintage Sosaku kokeshi mad by Sanpei Yamanaka (1926-2012)

This is a beautiful example of a Sosaku (Creative) Kokeshi doll, handcrafted by the renowned mid-century artist Sanpei Yamanaka. 

Unlike traditional kokeshi, which follow strict regional patterns, this creative piece focuses on natural textures and minimalist expression. Sanpei Yamanaka (山中三平), a multi-award-winning artist known for his modern, soulful designs.

The doll features a "bob" hairstyle (okappa) and downcast, meditative eyes (fushime), giving it a serene and contemplative appearance. 
 It is carved from dark, richly grained wood. The natural wood grain is a central part of the design, often used to represent the folds of a kimono.
The body is subtly decorated with delicate, hand-carved floral patterns (hana-moyo).

Yamanaka was born in 1926 in Yamagata and made creative kokeshi  his whole career. His kokeshi are loved by collectors all over the world. He won the 'Prime Minister Award' in 1979.

Height: 13cm

Weight: 220g

Please look carefully at the pictures to determine the condition of the item.