Fumio Sato 佐藤文男  (1923 - 1986)

Togatta

Master: Bunsuke Sato (佐藤文助)
Apprentices: Hidehiro Sato (佐藤英裕), Sadao Kobayashi (小林定雄), Hideo Ohata (大旗英雄)

Born on 28 August 1923 in Togatta, Miyagi Prefecture, Fumio Sato began training under Bunsuke Sato in 1939. After serving in the Japanese Navy during World War II, he resumed woodturning and eventually established his own workshop. His craftsmanship reflected the influences of both his master and his father, Ushizō Sato. In his later years, he became particularly recognised for his refined interpretations of the Ushizō-style kokeshi. He continued producing kokeshi until illness interrupted his work in 1983 and passed away on 2 April 1986.