Watanabe Masao Vintake Sosaku Kokeshi Dolls

Artisan | Woodworker: Watanabe, Masao | 1917-2007

Origin:

Masao Watanabe | 1917-2007 (89) 

Born in Fukushima, Watanabe-san studied under Traditional Yajirou Master Sato, Tatsuo of Miyagi Prefecture. Arguably, the most popular and prolific of the 20th/c Sosaku Kokeshi artists, he began his craft in the early 1950s. His most famous Kokeshi themes are that of ‘innocence’ (Mushin), and his doll entitled: Chigo Zakura (Cherry Blossom Child). A multiple award winner in Kokeshi competitions around the world (Prime Minister's prizes for the works of "Chigozskura" in 1963 and "Shojo" in 1981), along with numerous prizes by the Modern Kokeshi Artist Association and JETRO. He held two exhibitions in Japan and was exempt from the examination of the All Japan Kokeshi Contest, a Member of the Nippon Kokeshi Artistic Handicraft Association. His works are permanently exhibited at the Nuremberg Toy Museum in Germany. 

The Beatles in Japan holding Vintage Sosaku Kokeshi Dolls

Collector's note – descriptive qualities, standard characteristics & ornamentation styles:

Of all the Kokeshi produced by Masao Watanabe, his doll entitled, Mushin, (Innocence), is the most representative of this artist’s work. The emphasis is on the color of the natural wood and texture, and the form of this piece is the most recognizable of all of his dolls. The representation of clothing, complemented by the natural graining of the wood, and the painting of the sash, is common for this particular series. The natural wood implies the kimono or yukata with Its smooth curves brought about through the use of the lathe. Some painted and raised forms to resemble Shibori, a type of tie-dyeing that give texture to the garment. He also prominently features the rose and camellia as a central motif. His most famous piece above, is entitled, ‘Chigo Zakura’, (Cherry Blossom Child), which won the Prime Minister’s Award, and was presented to the Beatles in 1965, after their appearance in Japan with Sir Joseph Lockwood, Chairman of EMI Record Distributors, England.

Artist's Signature:

Watanabe Masao Kokeshi Artist signature

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19 products

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Chameko | Urchin Vintage sosaku kokeshi doll by Watanabe, Masao
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Vintage Sosaku Kokeshi entitled: Banshee | Late Autumn by Watanabe, Masao (1917-2007)Vintage Sosaku Kokeshi entitled: Banshee | Late Autumn by Watanabe, Masao (1917-2007)
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Vintage Sosaku Kokeshi entitled: “Mujitsu no kodomo | Innocent Child” by Watanabe, MasaoVintage Sosaku Kokeshi entitled: “Mujitsu no kodomo | Innocent Child” by Watanabe, Masao
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Vintage Sosaku Kokeshi Entitled: "Mebae | Flower Bud" by Watanabe, MasaoVintage Sosaku Kokeshi Entitled: "Mebae | Flower Bud" by Watanabe, Masao
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Vintage Sosaku Kokeshi entitled: “Chamekko | Playful Child by Watanabe, Masao
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Japanese Vintage Sosaku Kokeshi entitled: ‘Chamekko’ | Playful Child by Masao WatanabeJapanese Vintage Sosaku Kokeshi entitled: ‘Chamekko’ | Playful Child by Masao Watanabe
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Vintage Sosaku Kokeshi entitled: “Mebae | Flower Bud” by Watanabe, Masao
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Vintage Japanese Sosaku Kokeshi entitled: “Hatsu Hana | First Flower” by Watanabe, Masao | 1917-2007Vintage Japanese Sosaku Kokeshi entitled: “Hatsu Hana | First Flower” by Watanabe, Masao | 1917-2007
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Vintage Sosaku Kokeshi entitled: “Banshu | Late Autumn” by Watanabe, MasaoVintage Sosaku Kokeshi entitled: “Banshu | Late Autumn” by Watanabe, Masao
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Vintage Sosaku Kokeshi entitled: “Donguri noyado | Acorn Girl” by Watanabe, Masao |1917-2007Vintage Sosaku Kokeshi entitled: “Donguri noyado | Acorn Girl” by Watanabe, Masao |1917-2007
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Banshu | Late Autumn Vintage Sosaku Kokeshi Doll by Watanabe, Masao
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Vintage Sosaku Kokeshi Figure is entitled: “Yukibouzu | Snow Boy” by Watanabe, MasaoVintage Sosaku Kokeshi Figure is entitled: “Yukibouzu | Snow Boy” by Watanabe, Masao
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Large Vintage Sosaku Kokeshi Figure is entitled: “Chameko | Urchin” by Watanabe, MasaoLarge Vintage Sosaku Kokeshi Figure is entitled: “Chameko | Urchin” by Watanabe, Masao
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Vintage Sosaku Kokeshi entitled: “‘Sakura no hana | Cherry Blossom” by Watanabe, Masao (1917-2007)Vintage Sosaku Kokeshi entitled: “‘Sakura no hana | Cherry Blossom” by Watanabe, Masao (1917-2007)
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Japanese Vintage Sosaku Kokeshi entitled: ‘Mushin’ | Innocence by Masao WatanabeJapanese Vintage Sosaku Kokeshi entitled: ‘Mushin’ | Innocence by Masao Watanabe
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Vintage Sosaku Kokeshi Set Entitled: Kurōbāgāru no Mittsu-ri no Shimai, (Clover Girls) by Watanabe, MasaoVintage Sosaku Kokeshi Set Entitled: Kurōbāgāru no Mittsu-ri no Shimai, (Clover Girls) by Watanabe, Masao
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Vintage Sosaku Kokeshi entitled: Chigo Zakura, (Cherry Blossom Child), by Masao WatanabeVintage Sosaku Kokeshi entitled: Chigo Zakura, (Cherry Blossom Child), by Masao Watanabe
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Vintage Sosaku Kokeshi entitled: Muchin, (Innocence), by Masao WatanabeVintage Sosaku Kokeshi entitled: Muchin, (Innocence), by Masao Watanabe
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Sansaku Kokeshi_Masao WatanabeWatanabe Signature