Komao Hayashi (Japanese: 林 駒夫Hayashi Komao; 22 September 1936 – 15 May 2024) was a Japanese artist and dollmaker.[1]
Born in Kyoto on 22 September 1936, Hayashi learned the trade of making traditional Japanese dolls with Menya Shōzō XII and Kitazawa Nyoi, a maker of Japanese theatre masks for Noh.[2] He specialized in making dolls for Hinamatsuri, a religious holiday in Japan where decorative dolls are put on display.[3] He was honored with the prize of the Japanese Society of Arts and Crafts in 1973.[4] In 2002, he was named a Living National Treasure.[2] In 2004, he was awarded the Purple Ribbon of the Medal of Honor.
Komao Hayashi died on 15 May 2024, at the age of 87.[5]