KATSUSAKU, Showa Period (1926–1989) Sosaku-kokeshi, ca. 1980

A work of rare constructive originality in the landscape of Kokeshi Sosaku from the 1980s. The head reveals an unusual sculptural workmanship: the volume of the hair is achieved through sharp cuts in the wood, devoid of any pictorial artifice. The eyes, two thin marks painted in black, give the face an expression of particular sweetness and introspection.
The body, despite the solidity of the cornel, evokes the lightness of bamboo: its elongated shape and the rhythm of the lines naturally recall the vertical cut of traditional Japanese kimonos, as if the wood itself had followed the artist's intention to suggest rather than describe.

Katsusaku (Shōwa period, 1926–1989) is an artist appreciated in the creative Kokeshi scene for his extraordinary ability to animate female subjects through clean engravings and a decoration that draws directly from the nature of the material.

The Art of Kokeshi (こけし)

Kokeshi are wooden dolls with simple and essential shapes, expressions of traditional Japanese craftsmanship.

Origins and History of Japanese Dolls

These wooden figures originated in the Tōhoku region, in the northeast of Japan, towards the end of the Edo period (1600-1868). They were originally created by master turners, called Kijishi, as souvenirs and protective amulets for tourists at the hot springs of Miyagi Prefecture. Their success was so widespread that production quickly spread throughout the region, reaching as far as Russia, where they served as models for the famous matryoshka dolls.

Meaning and Characteristics of Kokeshi

Kokeshi are not just simple ornamental objects, but testimonies of Japanese rural craftsmanship. Traditionally, they were considered lucky charms and were used to beautify Japanese homes. At the time in Japan, they were regarded as a refined art object to be given to special people.
They are traditionally made from mizuki wood, Japanese cornel, also chosen for its name meaning "water tree," thus considered a talisman against fires. Their shape is characterized by a cylindrical body without arms or legs, which focuses attention on the face. The latter is painted with a few essential brush strokes, primarily using red, black, and sometimes green.

Dento-Kokeshi and Sosaku-kokeshi: Tradition and Modernity

It is important to distinguish between two main categories. Dento-Kokeshi are the traditional ones, linked to specific localities and eleven historical local schools, among which Naruko and Yajirou stand out. These follow stylistic canons passed down over time, respecting precise rules that characterize each school.
The Sosaku-Kokeshi represent the creative and contemporary soul of this tradition: in these, the artist enjoys full expressive freedom, introducing sculptural elements and unique pictorial motifs that transform the doll into a piece of modern art. Innovative forms and techniques such as pyrography are experimented with, paving the way for personal interpretations that engage with tradition while constantly renewing it.