Sekiguchi Sansaku

(1925-2018)

Bio & Awards

Sekiguchi Sansaku was born in 1925 in Shibukawa city, Gunma prefecture. He is perhaps the most renowned kokeshi master and the only artisan who has ever been certified by the Japanese government as “Master of Creative Kokeshi”. He has a museum in his birth city of Shibukawa in Gunma prefecture and it’s being managed and maintained by his daughter Oki Izumi and her husband Oki Yasunobu who are both kokeshi artists in their own right. He has won the prestigious prime minister award three times for his magnificent and unique kokeshi dolls.

Prizes

1968 – Gunma Prefecture Modern Kokeshi Exhibition Governor Award
1969 – National Kokeshi Contest Prime Minister Award
1970 – Gunma Prefecture Modern Kokeshi Contest Governor Award
1972 – National Kokeshi Contest Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Award
1973 – Gunma Prefecture Modern Kokeshi Contest Governor Award
1973 – All Japan Kokeshi Federation Contest Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Award
1973 – National Kokeshi Contest Prime Minister Award
1974 – Gunma Prefecture Modern Kokeshi Exhibition
Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Award
1974 – Special Exhibition at the Akasaka Palace as Gunma Prefecture’s Representative
1975 – Gunma Prefecture Modern Kokeshi Exhibition Governor Award
1975 – National Kokeshi Contest Prime Minister Award
1977 – Traditional Japanese Crafts Exhibition in Greece. Permanently Exhibited at the Museum of Asian Art of Corfu.
1978 – Gunma Prefecture Meritorious Person Award
1978 – Won National Designation as “Modern Master Craftsman”
1984 – Awarded the Japanese Yellow Ribbon Medal of Honor for his diligence, perseverance and achieving excellence in his craft.
1986 – International Arts and Culture Award