The Yukiyake Kokeshi was created in the year 1960 (Shōwa 35). Its creative inspiration was the figure of the gōriki (powerful mountain porters) who worked in the harsh natural environment of Iwate Prefecture.   

These porters made a living through activities like charcoal making during the long, severe winters. From spring to autumn, they transported the luggage of tōji visitors from the post town of Mizuyama up steep mountain paths to Sukawa Onsen. Sukawa Onsen, a therapeutic spa with over 300 years of history, was so remote that the labor of the gōriki was indispensable.   

The name "Yukiyake" means "snow-burn," derived from the deep, dark tans the porters developed when the sun reflected off the snow as they worked on the mountains. The Yukiyake Kokeshi is a crystallization of respect for this labor, expressing the silent, simple, yet resilient figures of these workers through wood.

The most striking characteristic of the Yukiyake Kokeshi is the complete absence of a painted face. This is a radical departure from the style of traditional kokeshi, where the facial expression is the primary determinant of a system's identity. 

This design is based on a brilliant concept: representing the snow-burnt face of the gōriki not with paint, but with the dark, rich grain of the wood itself. The form implies a person, but the material itself is the expression. This anonymity elevates the doll from a simple representation of a "doll" to a contemplative "sculpture" onto which the viewer can project their own emotions. A statement attributed to the workshop perfectly illustrates this point: "When you are lonely, sad, angry, or happy, please gaze upon this kokeshi. Its infinite expression will bring harmony and joy to your heart".   

The choice not to paint a face is not a lack of skill or an omission, but a clear artistic strategy. It universalizes the figure of the laborer, making it a monument to anonymous work rather than a portrait of a specific individual. It is a sophisticated artistic endeavor that fosters a personal and profound dialogue with the viewer, rather than providing a predefined expression.