*SHIPPING OPTIONS VARY DEPENDING ON THE DESTINATION, PLEASE SCROLL TO THE END OF THIS LISTING FOR MORE DETAILS.

This listing is for a vintage kokeshi doll made around 20 years ago and signed ‘Nakayama’.  It is made of shirakaba white birch, and the front features Mt. Fuji and part of a tanka poem written by Wakayama Bokusai (1885-1928).  Bokusai worshipped Mt. Fuji’s beauty as the seasons changed, and he was particularly fond of the view from Senbon Matsubara pine forest in Numazu, Shizuoka Prefecture.  He often spoke of the views of the evergreen pines, set against a snow-capped Mt. Fuji dyed red by the setting sun over Suruga Bay.  Bokusui composed tanka about sadness, loneliness, solitude, and sorrow.  In one of his poems he wrote, “If we cross many mountains and rivers, we'll travel to a country filled with loneliness again today”, and this was perhaps in reference to Mt. Fuji’s solitary presence.  

Wooden kokeshi dolls are a kind of traditional folk art which originated in Tohoku. Most are brightly-coloured and feature a cylindrical body and perfectly round head. Decorations on newer kokeshi tend to have a coat of lacquer over the top, whilst the older variety’s paintwork tends to be applied on the top of the clear lacquer. Therefore it is possible to smudge or wipe off the paintwork on the older type so take care when cleaning them.

Size

H.24.2cm (9.5”)

Condition

It’s in very good condition aside from a red spot above her left eye, as well as some red marks behind her tied hair on the same side.  There’s also some scuffing on the black parts, and some black marks behind where her hair is tied on the other side.

THESE ARE SHIPPING ESTIMATES BASED ON THE CURRENT GLOBAL SITUATION                                                                 

**Germany, France, Greece, Spain, Poland, Austria, Slovakia, Lithuania, Slovenia:  NO SHIPPING.  Very strict and expensive packaging laws in place and we are not licensed to send products to these countries.  We have no plan to register at this time because the process is in some cases very expensive and complicated, plus each country has its own set of regulations and application process. 

**USA, UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Switzerland, Norway: Airmail Small Packet (approx. 15-28 days).  Combined shipping available up to 2kgs for Airmail Small Packet (please send us a message).

**Asia:  Airmail Small Packet (approx. 15-21 days).  Combined shipping available up to 2kgs for Airmail Small Packet (please send us a message).

**Central Asia, Middle East, South Africa, Brazil, Mexico:  EMS Express 10-15 days.

**Russia:  No shipping methods available.