🎎 Vintage Japanese Kokeshi Doll with Floral Motif & Signature – Japan Antique Roadshow

This vintage Japanese kokeshi ningyō (こけし人形) embodies the quiet charm of Tōhoku folk craft, standing with serene grace and weathered warmth. Carved from a single piece of wood and hand-painted in rich crimson, umber, and ink-black tones, the doll features a delicate floral motif climbing up its cylindrical body—likely representing stylized chrysanthemum or camellia blooms, traditional symbols of longevity and seasonal beauty.

The face, rendered with calm, minimal brushwork, rests gently above a red-collared neckline. The head and body both bear signs of age—scuffs, surface wear, and a mellow, tea-toned patina earned through decades of peaceful display.

On the back of her robe is a label reading 明善寮 (Meizen-ryō)—possibly a dormitory or school name—accompanied by a crest resembling a stylized bee or butterfly, offering a glimpse into her past life in a communal setting, perhaps watched over by students or teachers. A maker’s signature is inscribed on the base, and the branding stamp further connects her to a specific region or workshop, preserving a trace of origin in this modest wooden figure.

📏 Approximate dimensions
• Height: 18.5 cm
• Head width: 5 cm
• Base width: 2.5 cm
• Weight: 70 g
• Material: Painted wood
• Condition: Good vintage condition with visible marks, scratches, and patina appropriate for age
• Era: Likely mid-to-late Shōwa period (1950s–70s)

A poignant example of regional Japanese craftsmanship, this doll is ideal for collectors of folk art, wabi-sabi interiors, or those who simply appreciate the enduring charm of handcrafted beauty.

Curated in Shizuoka City by Kurt Bell, this piece offers a quiet, tangible connection to Japan’s nostalgic tradition of kokeshi artistry—and to the memory of a life once lived among students in a shared hall, tucked away in a forgotten dormitory named Meizen.