This listing is for a vintage Japanese kokeshi doll.  These are traditional wooden dolls dating back to the late Edo period (early 1800s). Originally made as toys and souvenirs for visitors, they symbolize protection and good luck but have also become valued souvenirs representing visited temples and villages. 

This unusual kokeshi features a dramatic tall black hairstyle and a wide circular bottom painted with a vivid oni (demon or ogre) face, giving it the look of a stage performer or festival spirit. The slender form and fine brushwork on the face create a serene expression that contrasts with the dramatic mask imagery below. A gold cord circles the neck like a costume detail, adding a touch of elegance.

1.5" x 2.5" x 1.5" - Extra Small Size

Kokeshi are often a simple cylindrical body, a round head that sometimes bobbles and a painted face or carved patterns with a serene expression. There are two styles - traditional (dento) and creative (shingata) which emerged after WWII to show more freedom in design, color, and themes. Click here to learn more about this wonderful Japanese folk art.