This book is part of a four-volume series that starts with dento or traditional kokeshi (Volume 1). The first volume focuses on identifying dento/traditional kokeshi dolls. The second volume discusses the shingata movement and includes omiyage and shingata kokeshi that became popular in Japan in the post-WWII years and continues to about 1970. Design trends and hints to identify challenging kokeshi are included. The third volume follows the movement to more creative sosaku kokeshi (starting around 1970). It also includes modern or kindai kokeshi and other kokeshi-related items. This is a Special Collections volume.

Volume 4 includes two special collections - Matagoro kokeshi and Okinawan kokeshi.