Masao Watanabe Vintage Kokeshi – Saishu (37cm/14.5 inches)

This vintage kokeshi doll was made & signed by Watanabe Masao (1917-2007). Her title is 彩秋 (Saishu) which means “Colors of Autumn”. As her night suggested, her body is beautifully painted with autumn colors and carvings that go through her neck to her head creating what appears to be a lovely veil.

Watanabe Masao was born in Fukushima prefecture and originally trained as a traditional kokeshi master before switching to creative kokeshi. He won the prestigious prime minster award and his dolls were also given to the Beatles in 1965. He’s one of the few artisans whose work is permanently exhibited at the Nuremberg Toy Museum in Germany.

In great condition.

Height: 37cm / 14.5 inches
Width: 14cm / 5.5 inches
Weight: 2kg / 4.4lbs