This Sōsaku Kokeshi by Takahashi Hashime (髙橋はしめ, 1918–2002) exemplifies the quiet lyricism and contemplative beauty that define his work. Standing at an elegant height, the figure is composed with serene balance: a softly rounded head resting atop a slender, elongated body, creating a calm vertical rhythm that immediately conveys stillness and grace.
The face is rendered with Hashime’s characteristic restraint—gently closed eyes, minimal lines, and a subdued expression that suggests introspection rather than overt emotion. This simplicity invites the viewer into a meditative space, allowing feeling to emerge through form rather than detail. The natural wood surface is carefully preserved, its subtle grain and warm tone reinforcing a sense of honesty and warmth.
Born in 1918, Takahashi Hashime was a distinguished Sōsaku Kokeshi artist active primarily during the mid-to-late Shōwa era. Working from his Hashime Kōbō (はしめ工房) studio, he became known for calm, poetic interpretations of the human figure, characterized by natural wood tones, understated elegance, and refined floral painting. His work reflects traditional Japanese aesthetics such as wabi-sabi—the beauty found in simplicity and imperfection—and shibui, an understated, enduring grace.
Celebrated in regional exhibitions during his lifetime, Hashime’s kokeshi are now highly regarded by collectors for their emotional warmth, painterly sensitivity, and timeless serenity. This piece stands as a graceful example of his legacy: a quiet, contemplative presence that continues to resonate long after it is first encountered.
Size: 8 x 8 x 24cm
