Artisan | Woodworker: Takeda, Masashi | 1930-2015
Biographical History:
Trained as a Sakunami/Yamagata Traditional artist in Yonezawa, Yamagata Prefecture. His master is Takeda Usaburo, who also mentored Masashi’s older brother Shinkichi, who has remained a Traditional Yamagata artist. As collectors we felt it was most important to represent all Sosaku Kokeshi artists, whether or not the artist has a written account of his or her life. Each show the diversity of this cultural specialization and the creative work produced by this artist.
Collector's note – descriptive qualities, standard characteristics & ornamentation styles:
Takeda-san is known for exceptionally carved and painted detail, and wonderfully intricate, adorned Kimono with some form of floral motif. Giving great character and depth to his dolls, Takeda–san shows his appreciation of the natural decorative quality of wood. Additionally, a typical theme of the mother with child is also seen in his work, but is quite rare. The duo are beautifully constructed, turned on the lathe, and pinned with dowels to create a sensitive, balanced image. The infant is seen in the arms of the mother, which is not meant to be sentimental, and exemplifies the relationship between the figures expressing serenity and stability.