Kazuo Takamizawa - Large vintage sōsaku kokeshi

Turned, engraved, and painted wooden Kokeshi, 19 cm

A large format piece signed by Kazuo Takamizawa, an artisan awarded by the Prime Minister

Kazuo Takamizawa (born 1927) opened a workshop in Takasaki, Gunma Prefecture, in 1948, which became one of the centers for the sōsaku kokeshi (creative kokeshi) movement, a style that emerged outside the eleven traditional regional lineages. His work earned him the Japanese Prime Minister's Award, followed by induction into the Gunma Kokeshi Artisan Hall of Fame in 1983. Today, collectors especially seek his large-format pieces, such as this one. The kimono, engraved with diamonds, asanoha stars, and small pink plum blossoms, features a deeper red than his other pieces, with a wide cream and gold ribbed obi and a hair bun adorned with a lattice pattern.

A 19 cm tall vintage kokeshi, more substantial than the artist's other pieces

This kokeshi measures 19 cm in height and weighs 725 g: a size and weight significantly greater than his more common pieces, and signed by the artist Kazuo Takamizawa.

As with all vintage kokeshi offered in our antique shop, this piece shows slight marks consistent with its age and years of storage: we invite you to carefully examine the photos before purchase, as they accurately reflect its condition. Only one piece available.

Specifications

• Height: 19 cm
• Weight: 725 g
• Hand-turned, engraved, and painted wood
• Simple face, black hair bun decorated with a lattice pattern
• Kimono with engraved motifs (diamonds, asanoha stars, plum blossoms), wide cream and gold ribbed obi
• Sōsaku kokeshi signed by the artist Kazuo Takamizawa (高見沢一夫), winner of the Japanese Prime Minister's Award
• Large format, highly sought after from this artist
• Vintage antique piece: only one copy available