MASAO WATANABI MUSHIN KOKESHI

Delightful "Mushin" Kokeshi by Masao Watanabe. This collectable Sosaku (Creative) Kokeshi doll is a highly sought-after design by renowned master Kokeshi creator Masao Watanabe (1917-2007) from Fukushima prefecture. Masao won over 8 major awards at the All Japan Kokeshi Competition.

The use of natural grain patterns of Keyaki (Japanese Elm aka Zelkova) wood enhances the innate ephemeral quality of the piece. The artist hand carved the folds of her kimono to add visual texture and movement to this doll. His name is "Mushin" (無心) which in Japanese means "Innocence": the purpose of the author, while creating this kokeshi, was to make anyone who looked at the doll innocent again.
"Mushin" is the most important and representative kokeshi of Masao and stands out for the very serene expression of the face and for the elegant and rounded shape.

Watanabe Masao was born in 1917 in Fukushima Prefecture. Originally, he was a traditional Kokeshi artist but he started to study a new way of 'shaping', from 1950, and for this reason he is considered one of the founders of the modern kokeshi (Sosaku Kokeshi).
Of course, his works are highly regarded in Japan and he is really famous Worldwide. He is famous for not only minimally carving beautiful woods, but also for his use of gessoed surfaces and lacquer to add another dimension to many of his dolls. He won many awards include the award from the Prime Minister twice ('63, '71) and one of his work is preserved at the Toys museum in Nürnberg, Germany nowadays. Sadly, he passed away in 2007, this was a huge loss of the world of Sousaku Kokeshi world.

This example has beautiful grain, carving, expression and condition. A kokeshi to treasure that will make a statement in any room and is ideal for collector.
Signed and stamped on the bottom.
This kokeshi is 20cm