Okazaki Yasuo is a kokeshi doll craftsman with a workshop, Kokeshi no Okajin, in Naruko Onsen. He is also the executive director of the Miyagi traditional kokeshi dolls association. His family has been making kokeshi dolls since his grandfather's generation.

After graduating from high school, he received training in wood carving from his father, Jinji, and started making kokeshi dolls. In addition to his workshop, he also makes kokeshi at the demonstration site of the Nippon Kokeshi Museum, where visitors can observe actual woodworking lathes in action.

Beyond just creating these pieces of art, Okazaki has also made it his mission to train young craftspeople so that this important piece of culture and tradition can be passed down for generations to come.