Makino Hitoshi | 牧野均

1956 Akita City, Akita Prefecture

About

Makino Hitoshi is a Sosaku Kokeshi artisan known for his refined, fabric-inspired designs that evoke the textures and elegance of traditional Japanese textiles. His work often features:

Material symbolism: He uses woods like Japanese maple (enju or kaede) and zelkova (keyaki), chosen not just for their grain but for how they echo the feel of delicate fabrics like sha (a sheer silk) or gold-threaded brocade.
Design themes: His dolls are named and styled after textile motifs, such as Sukashi Karahana (openwork floral arabesque) and Nishi (brocade), blending visual minimalism with tactile richness.
Signature aesthetic: Makino’s forms vary from slender to intricately carved and turned into unique one of a kind shapes. Muted tones emphasize texture over ornamentation.

Awards

1989 All Japan Kokeshi Concours Minister of International Trade and Industry Award
1990 All Japan Kokeshi Concours Forestry Agency Commissioner's Award
1998 All Japan Kokeshi Concours Minister of International Trade and Industry Award
2000 All Japan Kokeshi Concours Prime Minister's Award
2000 National Modern Kokeshi Exhibition Minister of Education Encouragement Award
2007 All Japan Kokeshi Concours Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Award
2008 All Japan Kokeshi Concours Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry Director of Manufacturing Industry Award
2010 All Japan Kokeshi Concours Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Award
2012 All Japan Kokeshi Concours Prime Minister Award
2013 All Japan Kokeshi Concours Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology Award
2013 All Japan Kokeshi Concours Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Award Lives in Kawanishi Town, Akita Prefecture

Other

Sources

admin. (2023, October 18). 牧野均 / Makino Hitoshi | 創作こけしの杜 Wonderful life with Kokeshi. Kokeshi-Sousaku.com. https://kokeshi-sousaku.com/makino-hitoshi/