Sekiguchi Toa | 関口 東亜
b.1942 Maebashi City, Gunma Prefecture
About👤
Over the decades Sekiguchi Toa has earned national recognition for his artistry, including the Ministry of International Trade and Industry Award in 1978–79 and the esteemed Prime Minister’s Award.
Toa’s work stands out for its expressive detail and seasonal symbolism. He frequently works with Mizuki (dogwood), crafting kokeshi that celebrate elements of nature and cultural memory—plum blossoms, fields of wheat, firework motifs, cloud-drifted skies, and abstract ginkgo leaves. His carvings often include deeply incised hair patterns and a balanced palette of black, vermillion, grey, and gold. Toa’s studio, shared with his wife, remains a vibrant source of creativity and craftsmanship in Shibukawa.
Awards🏅
- 1979 All Gunma Modern Kokeshi Competition; Minister of International Trade and Industry Award
- 1985 National Modern Kokeshi Exhibition; Minister of Education Encouragement Award
- 1992 All Gunma Modern Kokeshi Competition; Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Award
- 1998 All Gunma Modern Kokeshi Competition; Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Award
- 2001 All Gunma Modern Kokeshi Competition; Prime Minister Award
- 2002 All Gunma Modern Kokeshi Competition; Minister of Economy , Trade and Industry Award
- 2009 All Gunma Modern Kokeshi Competition; Prime Minister Award
- 2010 All Gunma Modern Kokeshi Competition; Agriculture and Forestry Minister of Fisheries Award
Other📑
Sources
- Wolf, R., & Evans, M. (2025d). Artisan | Woodworker: Sekiguchi, Toa | 1942-. Mingei Arts. https://mingeiarts.com/collections/artisan-woodworker-sekiguchi-toa-1942
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admin. (2023, October 18). 関口 東亜 / Sekiguchi Toa | 創作こけしの杜 Wonderful life with Kokeshi. Kokeshi-Sousaku.com. https://kokeshi-sousaku.com/sekiguchi-toa/
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Shibukawa City & Shibukawa City Board of Education. (2024). National Creative Kokeshi Art Exhibition in Shibukawa 30th anniversary commemorative magazine: Creative Kokeshi and its artists. Lifelong Learning Division, Shibukawa City Board of Education.
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