*SHIPPING OPTIONS VARY DEPENDING ON THE DESTINATION, PLEASE SCROLL TO THE END OF THIS LISTING FOR MORE DETAILS.

This listing is for a rather tall wooden kokeshi doll made around 40-50 years ago by kokeshi artist Sekiguchi Toa.  It is made of lacquered dogwood and the front is decorated with red tsubaki flowers.  Red tsubaki are powerful in symbolism and admired for their ability to withstand the harsh cold of winter.  The signature of the artist can be found on the bottom.  *This piece is tall, please check the measurements carefully before ordering.

Sekiguchi Toa (b.1942) is a kokeshi artist and son of certified kokeshi master, Sekiguchi Sansaku.  He was born in Maebashi and began making kokeshi in 1966.  During his long career he exhibited at various national exhibitions and received many awards for his work.  In 1978 he received the Minister of International Trade and Industry Award, as well as the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Award at the Gunma Modern Kokeshi Contest.  In 1985 he received the Minister of Education Encouragement Award at the annual National Modern Kokeshi Exhibition.  He has also been the recipient of the Miyagi Prefectural Governors Award, the Gunma Prefectural Governors Award at the All Japan Kokeshi Contest, and the Mainichi Newspaper Award.  His most prestigious award was the highly coveted Prime Ministers Award in 2001.  Sekiguchi is a full time member of the Japan Kokeshi Crafts Association, and specialises in producing ‘sosaku’ creative kokeshi and ‘kindai’ modern kokeshi.  **Fellow sellers, this information was researched by Kominka Zakka and CANNOT be used in your own listings.

Wooden kokeshi dolls are a kind of traditional folk art which originated in Tohoku. Most are brightly-coloured and feature a cylindrical body and perfectly round head. Decorations on newer kokeshi tend to have a coat of lacquer over the top, whilst the older variety’s paintwork tends to be applied on the top of the clear lacquer. Therefore it is possible to smudge or wipe off the paintwork on the older type so take care when cleaning them.                                                                                                                        

Size

H.42cm (16.5”)                                                                                                                        

Condition

There are light scratches, scuffing, some shallow dents on the side of her face as well as some red marks.                                                                                                                     

THESE ARE SHIPPING ESTIMATES BASED ON THE CURRENT GLOBAL SITUATION                                                                 

**Germany, France, Greece, Spain, Poland, Austria, Slovakia, Lithuania, Slovenia:  NO SHIPPING.  Very strict and expensive packaging laws in place and we are not licensed to send products to these countries.  We have no plan to register at this time because the process is in some cases very expensive and complicated, plus each country has its own set of regulations and application process. 

**USA, UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Switzerland, Norway: Airmail Small Packet (approx. 15-28 days).  Combined shipping available up to 2kgs for Airmail Small Packet (please send us a message).

**Asia:  Airmail Small Packet (approx. 15-21 days).  Combined shipping available up to 2kgs for Airmail Small Packet (please send us a message).

**Central Asia, Middle East, South Africa, Brazil, Mexico:  EMS Express 10-15 days.

**Russia:  No shipping methods available.