Image 1 of 13
Image 2 of 13
Image 3 of 13
Image 4 of 13
Image 5 of 13
Image 6 of 13
Image 7 of 13
Image 8 of 13
Image 9 of 13
Image 10 of 13
Image 11 of 13
Image 12 of 13
Image 13 of 13
What makes this creative kokeshi special
-
Made by Tanaka Kōjō (田中晃常)
He runs his workshop in Yoshioka, Gunma Prefecture, a practice he established in 1968.
He has won multiple prizes at the All Japan Kokeshi Contest and the Modern Kokeshi Contest, and he is known specifically in the sōsaku world for two things: figures that carry or hold objects, and a technique of incising decoration directly into the lacquered surface so the natural wood grain shows through. Both are present in this piece.
Signed with his hanko on the base.
-
Gunma Prefecture, Japan.
Shōwa period, ca. 1960s to 1970s.
-
Height: approx. 15.5 cm
Weight: approx. 219 g
-
Good vintage condition. The wood has developed a warm, even patina.
Painted details including the fan landscape and facial features remain clear and vibrant.
Hairline crack in the hair section at the back of the head. No damage to the face, body, or painted decoration.
-
Keep away from direct sunlight and dry heat sources.
Clean with a soft dry cloth only.
Water and damp cloths can lift the paint and cause the wood to swell, particularly on older lacquered surfaces.
If the piece stands near a radiator in winter, move it, as rapid drying causes older wood to crack.
The up close look and feel
The two-tone hair reads differently depending on the light: from the front the dark outer layer dominates, from the side you see the pale wood beneath.
The plum blossoms are painted loosely, one stroke per petal. Up close the cream body has a softness to it, the wood warm.
Charming details
Ume is the first flower of the Japanese year, appearing in late winter while snow is still on the ground, and it has marked the opening of the tea season for centuries.
The hair decor is Tanaka Kōjō's signature: you find them on every piece in this series, small and round, like a knot held in place. Turn her over and the red seal is there, faint but legible, the maker's mark pressed into the base.
*Decorative items such as the whisk are for styling
and scale purposes only and not included in the sale
Other Tanaka Kōjō kokeshi available:
She stops you because of the fan. It sits in front of her like she is mid-performance, a separate piece of wood painted with an ink landscape of mountains and mist. Everything else about her is warm and composed: the orange-red kimono, the natural wood face tipped slightly forward, the painted fringe falling in neat vertical strokes. She is small enough to hold in one hand and substantial enough to stay exactly where you put her.
Kojo is a well known kokeshi maker in Gunma Prefecture with several kokeshi competition wins to his name, known specifically for figures that carry objects and for the technique of incising motifs directly into the lacquered surface so the natural grain shows through. This piece shows that clearly.
The chrysanthemum forms on her kimono are not painted but carved, each petal catching light differently depending on where she stands.
Meet our other kokeshi
Questions before you buy?
Since my items are one-of-a-kind piece, I want to ensure it reaches you perfectly.
Questions about the history or condition?
Need a custom shipping quote or shipping outside the EU?
Prefer to see more detailed photos or a video?
Reach out to me directly. I'm here to help you find the perfect piece for your home.
✉️ hello@kaikoandco.com
💬 Instagram DM: @bykaikoandco
