K10137 - Sōsaku Kokeshi by Masae Fujikawa 藤川正衛

This charming Sōsaku Kokeshi by Masae Fujikawa is a delightful example of mid-20th-century creative craftsmanship. The doll features a round, childlike face with large, innocent eyes, framed by a neatly carved bob haircut and accented by a playful red hair bun on top. The bright red kimono, adorned with minimalist floral motifs in gold and white, evokes a sense of traditional elegance, while the form and expression remain playful and modern, hallmarks of the Sōsaku Kokeshi movement. The contrast between the natural wood and the vibrant red paint gives this piece a heartwarming and nostalgic quality. This particular piece originates from Natsukawa Onsen 字奈月温泉, a hot spring area that often inspired local artisans through its serene beauty and traditional ambiance. Masae Fujikawa 藤川正衛 was a Sōsaku Kokeshi artist active from the mid-Showa era through to the early Heisei period. He was born in 1942 and worked in the Natsukawa Onsen area (Toyama Prefecture), a region known for its natural beauty and quiet craftsmanship. His kokeshi are known for their simple, endearing forms and warm expressions. He often captured a sense of innocence and playfulness in his dolls, which has made his work beloved by collectors. His preferred themes included seasonal motifs, children, and traditional floral designs, all rendered with minimalism and warmth. Though not as widely known as some of his contemporaries, Fujikawa’s kokeshi are treasured for their sincerity, balance, and regional charm. Many of his works were sold as onsen souvenirs, but they are now sought after by collectors who appreciate their handcrafted beauty and nostalgic presence. Size: 7 x 7 x 11.5cm#K10137#SosakuKYO· · ──── ✨𝘼𝙘𝙘𝙚𝙨𝙨 𝙊𝙪𝙧 𝘿𝙖𝙩𝙖𝙗𝙖𝙨𝙚✨ ──── · · 𝐸𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑦 𝑖𝑡𝑒𝑚 𝑠𝑜𝑙𝑑 𝑛𝑜𝑤 𝑐𝑜𝑚𝑒𝑠 𝑤𝑖𝑡ℎ 𝑎 𝑐𝑒𝑟𝑡𝑖𝑓𝑖𝑐𝑎𝑡𝑒 𝑓𝑒𝑎𝑡𝑢𝑟𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑎 𝑢𝑛𝑖𝑞𝑢𝑒 𝑄𝑅 𝑐𝑜𝑑𝑒 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑆𝐾𝑈 𝑛𝑢𝑚𝑏𝑒𝑟. 𝑆𝑖𝑚𝑝𝑙𝑦 𝑠𝑐𝑎𝑛 𝑜𝑟 𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑒𝑟 𝑖𝑡 𝑡𝑜 𝑎𝑐𝑐𝑒𝑠𝑠 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑝𝑟𝑜𝑑𝑢𝑐𝑡 𝑖𝑛𝑓𝑜𝑟𝑚𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑎𝑛𝑦𝑡𝑖𝑚𝑒.