Made of Japanese dogwood (30.5 cm × ø 7.5 cm). Handwritten calligraphic signature on the base.
A work of rare construction originality among 1980s sosaku kokeshi. The head reveals an unusual sculptural process: the volume of the hair is achieved through clean cuts in the wood, devoid of any pictorial artifice. The eyes—two thin lines painted in black—give the face a particularly sweet and thoughtful expression.
The body, despite the solidity of the dogwood, evokes the lightness of bamboo: its elongated shape and the rhythm of its lines naturally recall the vertical cut of traditional Japanese kimonos, almost as if the wood itself had supported the artist's intention to suggest rather than describe.
Katsusaku is a highly regarded figure in the creative kokeshi scene for his extraordinary ability to animate female subjects through clean incisions and decoration that draws directly from the nature of the material.
The Art of Kokeshi (こけし)
Origins and history
Kokeshi are wooden dolls with simple, essential shapes, an expression of traditional Japanese craftsmanship. These wooden figures originated in the Tōhoku region of northeastern Japan, towards the end of the Edo period (1600-1868). They were originally created by master woodturners, 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 and even reached Russia, where they were used as a model for the famous matryoshka dolls.
Meaning and characteristics
Kokeshi are not simply ornamental objects, but rather a testament to Japanese rural craftsmanship. Traditionally, they were considered good luck charms and were used to decorate Japanese homes. At the time, in Japan, they were considered a refined work of art, bestowed upon special people.
They are traditionally made from Mizuki wood, the Japanese dogwood, also chosen for its name, meaning "water tree," and therefore considered a talisman against fires. Their shape is characterized by a cylindrical body without arms or legs, which draws attention to the face. The face is painted with a few essential brush strokes, primarily using red, black, and sometimes green.
Types: tradition and modernity
It's important to distinguish between two main categories. Dento-kokeshi are the traditional ones, linked to specific locations and eleven historic local schools, among which those of Naruko and Yajirou stand out. These follow stylistic canons handed down over time, respecting precise rules that characterize each school.
Sosaku-kokeshi, on the other hand, represent the creative and contemporary soul of this tradition: in these, the artist enjoys complete freedom of expression, 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.