Kiyohara Takao | 清原たかを

b. 1916

About👤

An independent craftsman of rare devotion, Kiyohara Takao was born in 1916 in Shiroishi City, Miyagi Prefecture. Before dedicating himself to Kokeshi, he served as an army pilot, flying over 3,800 hours, a life straddling the edge of peril and perseverance. After the war, he emerged as a pioneering figure in the sōsaku Kokeshi movement, blending tradition with personal expression to create dolls that felt both timeless and tender.

His dolls often carried poetic titles like Light of Young Leaves, Snowfall Morning Visit, and Friend of the Mountains, reflecting a deep reverence for nature and seasonal emotion. Kiyohara once wrote:

“I would be extremely happy if my work could be cherished as a friend for a long time to come.”

Through decades of artistry, he remained devoted to preserving the heart of Kokeshi, not just as objects, but as companions of memory, resilience, and quiet joy.

Awards🏅

Kiyohara’s work earned him the Prime Minister’s Award at the All-Japan Kokeshi Contest four times, including in 1989, alongside more than a hundred other accolades. His celebrated pieces, Yamabiko, Yukinko, and Toraya Kokeshi, evoke rustic beauty, childhood dreams, and the quiet charm of old-style dolls. He was featured on NHK television and radio, and his exhibitions included presentations by Princess Chichibu and appearances at Mitsukoshi Main Store’s “Snow Country” showcase.

🏆 Major Awards and Honors

Minister of International Trade and Industry Award (通産大臣賞) — received four times, including for:

Yamabiko
Toraya no Kokeshi
Yukinko
Hotel no Kokeshi (listed in 35th year) (2000)

Miyagi Prefecture Governor’s Award (宮城県知事賞) — awarded multiple times:

26th year: Oshare Kokeshi (1951)
27th year: Meoto Kokeshi (1952)
28th year: Kokeshi Photo Studio (1953)
29th year: Yume no Kyūgata Kokeshi (1954)
30th year: Toraya’s Old-Style Kokeshi (1955)
39th–41st years: multiple recognitions (1964-1966)

Sankei Shimbun Prize (産業経済新聞社賞) — 35th year (1960)
Japan Chamber of Commerce and Industry Chairman’s Award (日本商工会議所会頭賞) — 36th year (1961)
Small and Medium Enterprise Agency Commissioner’s Award (中小企業庁長官賞) — 42nd year (1967)
Chamber of Commerce Federation Chairman’s Award (商工会議所連合会会長賞) — 43rd year (1968)

Other📑

NHK Television Broadcasts — featured in:

34th year: live broadcast (1959)
35th year: multiple national broadcasts (1960)
36th–38th years: continued national coverage (1961 -1963)

Princess Chichibu Presentation — 32nd year: Hikari Kokeshi presented to Princess Chichibu (1957)

🎨 Notable Exhibitions and Works

Modern Kokeshi Six Artists Exhibition — 38th year (1963)
Mitsukoshi Main Store “Snow Country” Showcase — 39th year (1964)
Fujisaki Exhibition Prize (藤崎展賞) — 38th year (1963)
Sendai Mayor’s Award — 40th year (1965)

Sources

Kokeshi Insert Pamphlet