Usaburo Kokeshi

Usaburo Kokeshi is a leading brand of creative kokeshi, founded by Usaburo Okamoto, who was born in Shinto Village, Gunma Prefecture. The first-generation Usaburo began making kokeshi in 1950, following a career in artificial stone and metal crafts. Today, the workshop is carried on by his family, who continue to honor traditional techniques while actively embracing new forms and designs — producing a wide range of works including animals, seasonal celebrations, and character collaborations. Combining the warmth of handcraft with a high level of design sensibility, Usaburo Kokeshi has earned wide recognition both in Japan and abroad as a representative Japanese folk craft.

At JAPAN MASTERY COLLECTION, the kokeshi are offered as shop-exclusive gift sets. Customers may choose between an original gift drawstring pouch made from traditional Japanese kimono fabric, or an original gift wooden box crafted from Nagara cedar.

While rooted in the traditional kokeshi form, Usaburo Kokeshi has established a distinctive style characterized by vibrant coloring, gentle expressions, and softly rounded designs. Each piece is created through a combination of machine processing and handwork, resulting in high-quality works full of character and charm.

The original gift set features either a one-of-a-kind drawstring pouch reconstructed from early Showa-period kimono fabric, or a wooden box made from Nagara cedar. The wooden box is adorned with a sumo ukiyo-e print by Utagawa Kuniyoshi, depicting the wrestler Shitenryū Yoshitarō.

Usaburo Kokeshi are crafted from trees grown in the mountains of Gunma, with natural woods such as zelkova, Japanese dogwood, cherry, and chestnut selected and used according to the unique properties of each. By making use of mature trees, the craft contributes to forest regeneration and plays a part in the cycle that sustains the rich, verdant satoyama landscape. Environmental consideration is also woven into the original gift set, through the reuse of kimono fabric and the use of recycled timber. This commitment to honoring and making the most of materials resonates deeply with the spirit of craftsmanship at the heart of Usaburo Kokeshi.