Artisan | Woodworker: Watanabe, Yuji | 1951

Biographical Information

Watanabe-san was born in Fukushima Prefecture. He is the son of Watanabe, Masao, and the father of Kunihiko Watanabe. Yuji apprenticed under his father Masao Watanabe, one of the leaders of the Sosaku Kokeshi movement whose dolls won numerous awards from 1971 to 1983, and remains active today. His works are sought-after around the world and are considered to be among the most popular of the New Sosaku (creative) dolls also referred to as Kindai (modern Kokeshi). One of his works is permanently exhibited at the Toy Museum in Nuremberg, Germany like several of his father's creations.

Collector's Note — descriptive qualities, standard characteristics, & ornamentation styles:

When reviewing Yuji's work he decorated his dolls with extravagant and intricate Kimono features of floral designs such as the auspicious Asanoha motif both traditional and patterns. His dolls have meticulously embossed hairstyles in symmetric and asymmetric styles. Several dolls are embellished with parts decorated with the Kanoko pattern that resembles the spots of a deer and is characterized by small diamonds with a dot in the center, all based on the prized Shibori technique. This pattern has always been a symbol of wealth, given the complexity of its creation. Each doll is painstakingly hand-carved in elegant proportions. Every strand of hair and every line of the garment is beautifully detailed. In one accounting it noted that he has perfected a process called, “Needle Ice” a phenomenon that contributes to a growing needle-like ice column. Yuji-san has a wonderful series of children referred to as “mischievous ‘children” balancing wood tones and focused areas of soft painterly colors. Additionally, he has creations that emphasize just the beautiful qualities and colors of wood like the pale Mizuki (dogwood). The facial expressions are charming and regal and is underlined by the perfectly drawn half-open lips and finely engraved noses. Every piece of work is a true feast to the eyes.