He was awarded the prestigious Prime Minister’s Prize in 1954, alongside numerous other honors for his Kokeshi artistry. Before dedicating himself to the life of a kijishi, he served as a soldier, an experience that may have made his return to the lathe all the more meaningful. His dolls are often distinguished by their signature eyebrow: softly arched and thick at the center, tapering gracefully at the ends, evoking both strength and serenity. Author Yamanaka Noboru wrote that Kaihei-san was one of the leading artisans in the sōsaku movement of the 1960s. His work was not only superb in craftsmanship and expression, but he also played an important role as a mentor, guiding other artisans in both technique and style.

1950 Received the Small and Medium Enterprise Agency Commissioner's Award, the highest award, at the 1st National Exhibition

1964 Received the Prime Minister's Award for "Suehiro Kokeshi" at the 1st National Kokeshi Exhibition

1961 Served as a judge for "Usu Kori" at the 8th National Kokeshi Exhibition

1965 Received the Kanagawa Prefecture Outstanding Craftsman Award

1973 Exhibited Kokeshi at the "Return to the Orient" Exhibition in St. Louis, USA with American, Chinese, and Korean craftsmen.

1986 Received the Medal with Yellow Ribbon

1992 Received the Order of the Sacred Treasure, Sixth Class.

1994 Received the Minister of International Trade and Industry Award for "Tsyuukusa" at the All Japan Competition.

Other📑

Sources:

1. Shibukawa City Board of Education, Lifelong Learning Division. (1998). Creative Kokeshi Doll Exhibition in Shibukawa City: 20th & 5th catalogue, 1994–1998 (Ishihara, Ed.). Shibukawa City & Shibukawa City Board of Education.
2. admin. (2023, October 18). 片瀬 快平 / Katase Kaihei | 創作こけしの杜 Wonderful life with Kokeshi. Kokeshi-Sousaku.com. https://kokeshi-sousaku.com/katase-kaihei/
3. Creative KOKESHI Artistic Handicraft Directory. Supervised by Daizo Nishide, directed by Kazuo Izumi, Nippon Kokeshi Artistic Handicraft Association, July 1983