This Togatta Kokeshi was handcrafted by Masato Midorikawa (緑川正人, born 1926), a respected artisan of the Togatta tradition in Miyagi Prefecture. After serving in the naval air corps during World War II, Midorikawa began his woodworking career around 1952, producing new-style kokeshi at Masao Ōmiya's workshop in Togatta, where he mastered the art of woodturning. In 1965, under the guidance of renowned Togatta master Tetsurō Satō, he began painting traditional kokeshi, gradually developing his own artistic voice. While his style evolved throughout his career, his later works from the Heisei era became especially admired for their expressive faces inspired by the classic Yoshirohei lineage.
This delightful doll captures the warmth and elegance of the Togatta style with its rounded head, slender cylindrical body, and finely balanced proportions. The gentle facial expression, featuring softly smiling eyes, delicately painted eyebrows, and neat black side locks framed by radiating red floral brushwork, conveys the quiet serenity that has made Togatta kokeshi beloved by collectors for generations.
The body is decorated with vivid chrysanthemum (kiku) motifs painted in rich shades of red, accented by traditional horizontal bands around the neck and body. At the base appears a striking Daruma figure, boldly painted in black and red with the auspicious 寿 (kotobuki) character, symbolizing longevity, happiness, prosperity, and good fortune. The combination of elegant floral decoration and the Daruma motif creates a meaningful composition celebrating perseverance and blessings, making this piece particularly distinctive.
Masato Midorikawa's works are appreciated for blending faithful Togatta traditions with lively, expressive brushwork. This kokeshi reflects both his technical craftsmanship and his ability to infuse traditional forms with warmth and personality.
Size: 8 x 8 x 30cm
