Oki Izumi | 沖 いづみ
b.1956 Shibukawa city in Gunma prefecture
About👤
Oki Izumi was born in Shibukawa city in Gunma prefecture. She studied art in Tama Art University in Tokyo and at the Sokei Art School. She is the daughter of Master Kokeshi craftsman Sekiguchi Sansaku.
Oki san has won multiple awards for her works. She graduated from the Department of Japanese Painting at Tama Art University, Department
of Painting in 1980. She is still actively participating in Kokeshi exhibitions. Her work is popular amongst collectors for their delicate facial features and cute accessories such as hats or purses. Her work may be signed or stamped with a hanko. In April of 2025 I was fortunate to meet her in person and tour her and her husbands' (Oki Yasunobu) home gallery. It was a wonderful experience to see first hand large museum quality pieces carved, and painted with fine and delicate details. Some featured silk-like fabric designs and a plethora of beautiful hair accessories. (M. Molina)
Awards🏅
1980 Honorable Mention Award at the Gunma Prefectural Exhibition
1984 National Modern Kokeshi Exhibition Newcomer Award
1994 National Modern Kokeshi Exhibition Japan Kokeshi Association Award
1997 National Modern Kokeshi Exhibition Tokyo Shinbun (newspaper) Award
1998 National Modern Kokeshi Exhibition First place Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology Award
1998 All Japan Kokeshi Competition Forestry Agency Chief Award
2009 All Japan Kokeshi Competition Miyagi Prefecture Governor's award
2013 All Japan Kokeshi Competition Forestry Agency Commissioner's Award
Exhibitions
2005 – Shibukawa City Museum of Art Civic Gallery, Oki Yasunobu and Izumi Creative Kokeshi Exhibition
2006-2011 Kuruizawa Gallery Flower Fairy, Oki Yasunobu and Izumi Creative Kokeshi Exhibition
2008-2012 Hirose (広瀬画廊) Gallery, Oki Yasunobu and Izumi Creative Kokeshi Exhibition
Other📑
Sources:
admin. (2023, October 18). 沖 いづみ / Oki Izumi | 創作こけしの杜 Wonderful life with Kokeshi. Kokeshi-Sousaku.com. https://kokeshi-sousaku.com/oki-izumi/