Creative vintage kokeshi by Watanabe Masao (1917-2007) titled 黒ばら (Kurobara) which means “Black Rose”. This iconic kokeshi doll has her body decorated with many shallow horizontal cuts and painted with red roses on a black background.

Watanabe Masao was born in Fukushima prefecture and originally trained as a traditional kokeshi master before switching to creative kokeshi. He won the prestigious prime minster award and his dolls were also given to the Beatles in 1965. He’s one of the few artisans whose work is permanently exhibited at the Nuremberg Toy Museum in Germany.

In great condition with signs of age and use. Comes with the original wooden sign.

Height: 44.5cm / 17.5 inches