For sale is a vintage traditional Japanese wooden 'Naruto' "Kokeshi" doll, dating from the mid-20th century.   
A unique hand-painted doll, hand-signed and inscribed, this piece is in fine example of Mid century Naruko Japanese KOKESHI design.
Kokeshi are wooden dolls that originate from the Tōhoku region of north-eastern Japan and which emerged as a folk craft from hot spring mountain villages at the end of the Edo period (1603-1868 CE). There are 12 styles of doll across the region, each hailing from a different hot spring (onsen) town or area, and differentiated by head and body shape, facial features, colour and decoration, of which these are of the "Naruko" and "Togatta" types.   
The dolls are believed to have originally been made for children but also came to be produced as souvenirs and mementoes for special occasions/achievements such as graduations. Each area in the Tōhoku region had its own local name to describe the wooden dolls they made. However, this had the potential to confuse collectors, so, in the 1940s, makers agreed to use one standard name: ‘kokeshi’.
Dimensions:
Height - 52cm
Diameter - 15cm
Condition Report:
Excellent vintage condition, the wood construction is solid and the paint well preserved as well as the signature on the base, there is some age related wear, please refer to the photos.