Artisan | Woodturner: Fukushima Hiroe | 汪江ひろえ

About👤

AKA Muto Hiroe (武藤汪江) (maiden name)

Year of Birth: Unavailable

Location: Haramachi, Agatsuma District, Gunma Prefecture, Japan

Workshop: “汪江こけし工房” (Hiroe Kokeshi Workshop | JR Haramachi Station | Status: Closed 2010

Kokeshi Style: Sōsaku | 創作こけし

Fukushima Hiroe was a female sōsaku kokeshi artisan active during the 1970s, with her workshop based in Agatsuma, Gunma Prefecture. While biographical details remain scarce, her work is easily recognized by collectors due to its distinctive focus on fruits and vegetables. An unusual and charming theme within the sōsaku Kokeshi type. Her dolls display a wide variety of imaginative designs, many of which are now considered highly collectible. If you have additional information or a photograph of the artist, we would be grateful for your contribution. KokeshiTrends @ gmail.com

Awards🏅

通商産業大臣賞受賞作家 | Minister of International Trade and Industry Award

Unconfirmed award year, most likely awarded in one of the All-Gunma Modern Kokeshi Competitions (全群馬近代こけしコンクール)

Collectors Notes🧾

1970s: Start of creative kokeshi production.
1970s–1980s: Likely participation in kokeshi competitions and period of artistic recognition.
1980s–2000s: Workshop active in Haramachi with visitors and tourist sales.
2004: Regional newspaper article introduces her vegetable kokeshi.
Mid-2000s: Travel blogs describe visiting her workshop in person.
Around 2010 (reported): Hiroe became ill and stopped producing new works.

Emergence of a Second Generation

A blog entry dated December 5, 2013 reports:

“汪江さんが病気になり創作できなくなってしまい
二代目に認定（認定証あり）されて徐々に復活”

Translation:

"Hiroe became ill and was no longer able to create works.
A second generation has been officially recognized (with a certificate), and production is gradually being revived."

The new works were reportedly sold at:

道の駅八ツ場ふるさと館 | Yamba Furusato Roadside Station in Gunma.

Other📑

Community gallery: Link

Soulportals gallery: Link

Known signatures: Link

Sources📰

Rikarinn_Doll. (n.d.). ショコラ工房のマトリョーシカ Kitchen II(キッチン II) : お人形とわたし. お人形とわたし. https://rikarinn-doll.dreamlog.jp/archives/52197562.html
Research contribution on Fukushima Hiroe (R.Monen, Personal Communication, March 13, 2026)

Artisan | Woodturner: Fukushima Hiroe | 汪江 ひろえ