We'll be using either Japan Post or DHL to ship your item. It will be shipped from Japan, so it will take some time to arrive. Please note that the prices of the items listed do not include taxes like duties. There may be scratches and dirt caused by age. If an item exceeds the specified size or weight, it may be shipped in multiple packages. ----- Traditional Japanese Kokeshi Doll – Handcrafted Folk Art Kokeshi dolls have been produced for over 150 years and are celebrated as symbols of craftsmanship, regional culture, and simple beauty. A wonderful piece for collectors of Japanese folk art, interior decorators, or anyone who appreciates handcrafted wooden objects. ----- Signed Takahashi Kinzo (1923-2002) Takahashi was born on August 10, 1923, as the eldest son of Takahashi Goro, a woodcarver in Hanamaki City, Iwate Prefecture. He has a younger brother, Kinshiro. His father, Goro, was originally an umbrella wheel craftsman, particularly using the Yatamome umbrella wheel, but later studied the cutting-edge Ashigawa umbrella wheel in Shizuoka. After the war, Goro also made kokeshi dolls. Kinzo learned woodworking from his father and began making kokeshi dolls in 1953, a new style at the time. In the summer of 1958, he had the opportunity to meet Sato Makoto, who came to Hanamaki, and was encouraged to make traditional kokeshi, so he gradually began making them. Sato Makoto made lead Fujii Umeyoshi style kokeshi, but he passed away in 1970, and the Umeyoshi style became obsolete. Takahashi Kinzo lamented its demise, and with the encouragement of Susumu Sanetaro, and with permission from Umeyoshi's family, began restoring the Umeyoshi style in February 1972. Initially, his works were close to the Umeyoshi type restored by Sato Makoto, but in 1973 he began to attract attention as he began to carry out a series of restorations based on Umeyoshi's old works. He passed away on October 29th, 2002, aged 80. Set of 5 9-17cm Total 580g (H0033)