Sekiguchi Sansaku Vintage Kokeshi Doll – Early Spring (28cm/11 inches)

This pretty kokeshi doll was made and signed by master Sekiguchi Sansaku (1925-2018).

Her title is 早春 (Soshun) which means “Early Spring”. It descries a period of time in which flowers begin to bloom but it can still be a bit cold outside.
She has quite unusual hairstyle with shallow curvy lines carved and a red hair ornament. Her body is decorated with sakura flowers as well as a beautifully carved obi with small sakura flowers. An interesting thing to note is that she’s made out of sakura tree.

Sekiguchi Sansaku (1925-2018) is perhaps the most renowned kokeshi master. He’s 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 Izumi who is a kokeshi artist in her own right. He has won the prestigious prime minister award three times for his beautiful and unique dolls.

In mint condition, comes with the original box and the wooden sign.

Height: 28cm / 11 inches