Sekiguchi Sansaku Vintage Kokeshi Doll – Sansai (17.4cm/6.8 inches)

This vintage creative kokeshi doll was made and signed by master Sekiguchi Sansaku. She is titled 三歳 (Sansai) which means “Three Years Old”. She is part of a series of dolls that Sansaku san made depicting the Japanese tradition of “Shichi Go San” (7-5-3) in which parents bring their daughters when they turn 3 and 7, and their sons when they turn 5, to Shinto shrines to have a special ceremony and receive blessings. On that day the children wear elaborate and beautiful kimonos. This lovely doll depicts a young girl at the age of 3 going to a shrine. She’s wearing a red kimono with kanoko (fawn-spot pattern).

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 great condition with minor signs of age and use.

Height: 17.4cm / 6.5 inches
Width: 10.2cm / 4 inches
Weight: 0.65kg / 1.4 lbs