{"product_id":"sakunami-kokeshi-by-teizo-hiraga","title":"Sakunami Kokeshi By Teizo Hiraga","description":"\u003cp\u003eTakashi Kamata \/ 鎌田孝市\u003cbr\u003eBunji Kamata \/ 鎌田文市\u003cbr\u003eKinichiro Sasaki \/ 佐々木金一郎\u003cbr\u003eZenji Satō \/ 佐藤善二\u003cbr\u003eTeizō Hiraga 平賀貞蔵\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis kokeshi doll was handcrafted by Teizo Hiraga 平賀貞蔵 (1897-1986) in December 1971 at the age of 74, as confirmed by the handwritten signature on its base 作並 平賀 貞蔵 74才 (46年12月). Structurally, the doll showcases the sturdy, thicker cylindrical body shape that came to define his post-war Sakunami-strain pieces. The clean, concentric lathe rings on the bottom highlight his decades of mastery as a woodturner, while the bold, alternating horizontal bands of red and dark green painted on the torso perfectly illustrate his evolution toward a thicker, heavier, and rounder brush style later in life.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHeigt:\u003c\/strong\u003e ca. 15 cm\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWeight:\u003c\/strong\u003e ca. 154 gram\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCondition:\u003c\/strong\u003e very good vintage condition.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe Sakunami strain (Sakunami-kei) is one of the distinct traditional lineages of Japanese kokeshi dolls, originating from the Sakunami hot spring (onsen) resort area in Miyagi Prefecture. Historically, these dolls were crafted by local woodturners (kiji-shi) who produced them alongside everyday wooden household items like trays and bowls.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eClassic Sakunami kokeshi are traditionally recognized by their highly stylized, slender shapes and elegant proportions, which historically allowed them to be easily held by children. The dolls traditionally feature a small head attached to a body that often tapers down significantly toward a very narrow waist, resting on a small, flared base. Over the decades, especially during the post-World War II period to accommodate the booming tourist trade, artisans within this lineage—such as Teizo Hiraga and his contemporaries—evolved the design to feature thicker, sturdier cylindrical bodies and a broader, heavier brushwork style. The torso decoration typically includes bold, concentric bands of traditional red and green rings painted directly onto the turned wood.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003ePlease note that all items in my shop are vintage and may show signs of age, including scratches, tarnishing, and other imperfections that add to their character. Please refer to the photos for a detailed view of each item's condition. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out before purchasing. All images are of the actual product. However, please be aware that colors may appear slightly different on screen due to display settings.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Kozaru Japanese Crafts","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":56014513766740,"sku":"957","price":70.0,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0999\/0733\/8580\/files\/il_570xN.8129325499_i2np.jpg?v=1780490253","url":"https:\/\/kozarushop.com\/products\/sakunami-kokeshi-by-teizo-hiraga","provider":"Kozaru Japanese Crafts","version":"1.0","type":"link"}