Vintage Creative “Sado Okesa Dancer” Kokeshi - Atami, Japan, 1970s

A tall, slender sōsaku (creative) kokeshi from mid-century Japan, depicting a Sado Okesa dancer: a folk motif from Sado Island, where women in wide hats perform dances inspired by the sea. Hand-carved from natural wood, the figure conveys quiet movement through its elongated form, calm expression, and teal-painted waves flowing upward.

The base is inscribed Atami (あたみ) with a small hot spring symbol, linking it to the historic craft town of Atami in Shizuoka Prefecture - a mid-century centre for woodcraft and sōsaku kokeshi production. This refined, abstract version embodies the modernist spirit of postwar Japanese folk art, where sculptural simplicity met cultural storytelling.

Minimal and elegant, this rare collectible feels more like a serene sculpture than a doll. Its clean lines and ocean-inspired palette make it a perfect match for both Japanese folk art and Nordic modernism.

✦ Height 24 cm
✦ Material: Hand-carved and painted wood
✦ Type: Sōsaku (creative) kokeshi
✦ Subject: Sado Okesa dancer
✦ Origin: Atami, Japan
✦ Period: 1970s
✦ Excellent vintage condition – minimal signs of age
✦ Comes with the box

ABOUT SŌSAKU KOKESHI
Creative (sōsaku) kokeshi were part of Japan’s postwar craft renaissance, blending traditional doll-making with individual artistry. Freed from regional rules, artists explored abstraction, symbolism, and modern design, turning simple turned wood into poetic, one-of-a-kind works of art.