A vintage sōsaku kokeshi was handcrafted by Kato Masami (加藤正美), a postwar kokeshi artist known for blending warmth, playfulness, and deep-rooted folk influences into his work. The doll’s form is compact and softly rounded, exuding a serene presence with its minimal facial features gently closed eyes and a faint red nose, hallmarks of Masami’s understated style.
The body is richly adorned with hand-painted sakura (cherry blossom) flowers, rendered in vivid reds and accented by delicate green and white details. The blossoms seem to gently wrap around the body, symbolizing the ephemeral beauty of spring and evoking feelings of quiet celebration and transience, key elements of Japanese aesthetic sensibilities.
Kato Masami (加藤正美) born in 1925, Kato Masami is considered one of the important mid-century artists of the sōsaku (creative) kokeshi movement, which began in the early 20th century. Unlike traditional kokeshi, which followed regional forms and were often made for hot spring tourists, sōsaku kokeshi are considered “artist’s dolls” individually designed, often signed, and used as a means of personal expression.
Masami’s kokeshi are beloved for their blend of folkcraft sensibility and playful, poetic charm. He often favored simplified forms, modest decoration, and emotive expressions, making each doll feel alive yet contemplative. Many of his pieces celebrate nature, family, and seasonal change, key themes in Japanese life and design.
As sōsaku kokeshi gained international recognition during the 1950s–70s, Masami’s work resonated especially with Western collectors who admired the minimalist beauty and soulful storytelling embodied in each piece.
Size: 8 x 8 x 15.5cm
