This Sōsaku Kokeshi set was created by 笹山益惠 (Sasayama Masue) and distributed through 千趣会 (Senshukai), making it not only an artistic work but also a meaningful piece of postwar Japanese cultural history.
The set depicts a gentle pair—an adult figure and a child—rendered with softly rounded forms and warm, natural wood tones. Their serene, downcast expressions convey affection, calm, and familial closeness. Delicate hand-painted details, including patterned garments, subtle facial features, and restrained color accents, reflect the hallmark qualities of Sōsaku Kokeshi: individuality, emotional expression, and refined craftsmanship rather than strict adherence to regional tradition. The slightly varied proportions between the two figures enhance the narrative quality, suggesting a quiet moment shared between parent and child.
This set was issued as part of Senshukai’s early kokeshi programs, which played a foundational role in the company’s history. In the mid-1950s, Senshukai launched the “Kokeshi Distribution Club,” a pioneering subscription service aimed primarily at working women. Affordable yet artistically thoughtful kokeshi like this set became immensely popular, transforming kokeshi collecting into a nationwide social phenomenon and helping establish a new model of mail-order retail in Japan. The success of these programs directly led to the later development of Senshukai’s lifestyle brand, Belle Maison.
Today, such Senshukai-distributed Sōsaku Kokeshi are appreciated both for their quiet emotional presence and for their historical significance as the artistic roots of one of Japan’s most influential mail-order companies.
Size: 4 x 4 x 10.5cm (L)
3 x 3 x 7cm (S)
