Miyajima Muhitsu | 宮島 無筆
b.1929 Yonezawa City, Yamagata Prefecture
About👤
Miyajima Muhitsu began his journey as a traditional Yamagata-style Kijishi, apprenticing under master craftsman Kobayashi Kichitaro. Interestingly, Kobayashi-san lived nearby and had offered to make him a top if he would help him with his work. This was what sparked his curiosity and interest and by 1942, he was already crafting Kokeshi, and in 1949, he established his own studio, shifting his focus to sōsaku Kokeshi.
Muhitsu’s work is celebrated for its deep reverence for wood, not just as a medium, but as a storyteller. He often uses multiple wood types in a single piece, enhancing texture and contrast while showcasing natural grain. It is said that he was a master of tools and enjoyed working with and making his own tools.
His dolls are typically stained in rich, earthy tones, with minimal paint application. Instead, he favors wood-burned outlines and subtle color accents, allowing the form and material to speak for themselves. The emphasis lies in the overall silhouette, particularly the hair and body structure, which often evoke quiet elegance. His wife also assisted him with painting and it is said that she was quite good at it.
Miyajima Muhitsu’s artistry has earned widespread recognition. He participated in numerous exhibitions and received several prestigious awards, including the Prime Minister’s Award in 1973. His pieces frequently appear in publications and collector showcases, admired for their winter coats, long beautiful hair and beautifully stained wood-grain patterns.
Awards🏅
- 1969 Received the Chairman's Award at the National Kokeshi Doll Exhibition
- 1973 Won the Prime Minister's Award at the National Kokeshi Doll Exhibition
- 1975 Presented the work "Hana Kokoro" to Her Majesty the Empress and Princess Kazunomiya
Other📑
Sources
- admin. (2023, October 18). 宮島 無筆 / Miyajima Muhitsu | 創作こけしの杜 Wonderful life with Kokeshi. Kokeshi-Sousaku.com. https://kokeshi-sousaku.com/miyajima-muhitsu/
- Yamanaka, N., & Kano, T. (Eds.). (1973). *Contemporary Kokeshi: The people and their works* (138 pp.). Kyoei Bookstore.
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