Sekiguchi Sansaku | 関口三作

b.1925 Shibukawa, Gunma Prefecture

About👤

Sekiguchi Sansaku was a revered master of Sōsaku Kokeshi, celebrated for his extraordinary craftsmanship and artistic innovation. Originally trained as a Japanese painter (1951–1957), he transitioned fully to creative Kokeshi in 1958, becoming the only artisan officially certified by the Japanese government as a “Master of Creative Kokeshi”

His work is distinguished by:

Intricate wood techniques and precision carving
Textile-inspired designs and layered kimono motifs
Finely detailed hairstyles and ornamentation
A wide thematic range, including geisha, Noh dancers, fishermen, celestial forms, and stylized representations of boys’ festivals and regional culture and folklore.

Sekiguchi’s dolls often incorporated authentic costume elements and symbolic headdresses, such as bamboo fisherman’s hats and Buddhist kasa. His use of chatter work and stylized floral motifs — cherry blossoms, peonies, mountain camellia — added depth and texture to his pieces.

📝Artisan Lineage Clarification

While Sekiguchi Sansaku is sometimes mistakenly referenced as the father of Kokeshi artists Toa and Toshio, this is incorrect. These artisans have no familial connection to Sekiguchi-san. His only child, Oki Izumi, carries forward his legacy with her own award-winning creative Kokeshi works. She continues to honor her father's memory through exhibitions and curation efforts at the Sekiguchi museum in Gunma.

Awards🏅

He held numerous solo exhibitions and served as a longtime judge for the National Modern Kokeshi Exhibition. As an advisor to the Japan Kokeshi Crafts Association, he helped shape the future of the art form.

1968 Gunma Prefecture Modern Kokeshi; Exhibition Governor Award
1969 National Kokeshi Contest; Prime Minister Award
1970 Gunma Prefecture Modern Kokeshi Contest; Governor Award
1972 National Kokeshi Contest; Minister of Economy Trade and Industry Award
1973 Gunma Prefecture Modern Kokeshi Contest; Governor Award
1973 All Japan Kokeshi Federation Contest; Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Award
1973 National Kokeshi Contest Prime Minister Award
1974 Gunma Prefecture Modern Kokeshi Exhibition; Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Award
1975 National Kokeshi Contest; Prime Minister Award
1978 Gunma Prefecture; Meritorious Person Award
1978 Won National Designation as “Modern Master Craftsman”
1984 Awarded the Japanese Yellow Ribbon Medal of Honor for his diligence, perseverance and achieving excellence in his craft.
1986 International Arts and Culture Award

Exhibitions | Memberships 🖼️

1974 Special Exhibition; at the Akasaka Palace as Gunma Prefecture’s Representative
1975 Gunma Prefecture Modern Kokeshi Exhibition; Governor Award
1977 Traditional Japanese Crafts Exhibition in Greece. Permanently Exhibited at the Museum of Asian Art of Corfu.

Other📑

Sources

Wolf, R., & Evans, M. (2025b). Artisan | Woodworker: Sekiguchi, Sansaku | 1925-. Mingei Arts. >https://mingeiarts.com/collections/artisan-woodworker-sekiguchi-sansaku-1925
ZenWorld_Craftman. (2025). Zenworld.jp. https://zenworld.jp/craftman.htm
Creative KOKESHI Artistic Handicraft Directory. Supervised by Daizo Nishide, directed by Kazuo Izumi, Nippon Kokeshi Artistic Handicraft Association, July 1983
Taru. (2021b, December 2). Sekiguchi Sansaku - Kokeshi Japan. Kokeshi Japan. https://kokeshijapan.com/sekiguchi-sansaku/