{"product_id":"k20167-traditional-sakunami-kokeshi-kenjiro-hiraga-平賀謙次郎","title":"K20167 - Traditional Sakunami Kokeshi Kenjiro Hiraga 平賀謙次郎","description":"\u003cp\u003eThis Sakunami Kokeshi (作並系こけし) by Kenjiro Hiraga (平賀謙次郎, 1918–2012), one of the respected craftsmen associated with the Sakunami\/Yamagata kokeshi tradition. Originating from the mountain region around Sakunami in Miyagi Prefecture, this tradition is admired for its restrained decoration.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis particular piece has an especially distinctive character. Its tall, straight cylindrical body is decorated almost entirely in black, with finely turned horizontal bands framing the shoulders and base. Across the front, bold, free-flowing Japanese calligraphy replaces the more familiar floral decoration found on many traditional kokeshi. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eKenjiro Hiraga was born in Sakunami in 1918 into a family of woodturners. He began learning woodworking from his father, Kenzo Hiraga, in 1930 and was working full-time at the lathe by the following year. He became independent in 1938, although his career was interrupted by military service during the Second Sino-Japanese War. After returning safely, he resumed producing kokeshi and wooden toys in Sakunami. For many years he continued to work with a traditional foot-operated lathe before changing to an electric lathe in 1955.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eKnown as a meticulous and conscientious craftsman, Hiraga maintained the precision and understated beauty of his family's woodworking tradition throughout his long career. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSize: 5 x 5 x 21cm\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/maisonkyo.be\/search?q=%E5%B9%B3%E8%B3%80%E8%AC%99%E6%AC%A1%E9%83%8E\u0026amp;options%5Bprefix%5D=last\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMore works by Kenjiro Hiraga 平賀謙次郎\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e","brand":"Maison Kyo","offers":[{"title":"≈20cm","offer_id":58099942490443,"sku":"K20167","price":29.0,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0964\/9746\/7723\/files\/Cover_2ff66069-4d17-4229-9292-d99199f73e50.jpg?v=1786437544","url":"https:\/\/fr.maisonkyo.be\/fr\/products\/k20167-traditional-sakunami-kokeshi-kenjiro-hiraga-%e5%b9%b3%e8%b3%80%e8%ac%99%e6%ac%a1%e9%83%8e","provider":"Maison Kyo","version":"1.0","type":"link"}