Takahashi Hashime | 高橋はしめ

1918 – 2002 Sendai, Miyagi Prefecture

About👤

Born in Sendai, Miyagi Prefecture, Takahashi-san blended his background in fine art and Yuzen kimono dyeing into a distinctive sōsaku Kokeshi style. His dolls feature elegant, textile-inspired kimono designs, expressive facial features, and seasonal floral motifs. Known for treating each doll like a painted sculpture, his works often showcase:

Kimono with multi-layering designs, evoking traditional garments
Painterly brushwork, resembling silk dyeing
Separate head construction, enhancing visual form
Motifs like plum, cherry blossoms, and irises

He received Japan’s Prime Minister’s Award for sōsaku Kokeshi. His son, Akinori Takahashi, continues limited production of the family's artistic legacy. Collector favorites include titles like Ume Goromo (Plum Kimono) and Yuki no Ko (Snow Child).

Awards🏅

1953 Miyagi Prefecture Rural Industry Exhibition; Miyagi Prefecture Governor's Award
1959 All Japan Kokeshi Competition; Mainichi Newspaper Award
1959 National Kokeshi Doll Exhibition; Artists Association Chairman's Award
1960 All Japan Kokeshi Competition; Japan Broadcasting Station Director's Award
1962 All Japan Kokeshi Competition; Yamagata City Mayor's Award
1963 National Kokeshi Doll Exhibition; Artists Association Chairman's Award
1964 All Japan Recommended Products Review Committee; Honorary President and Minister of International Trade and Industry Award
1966 All Japan Kokeshi Competition; Miyagi Prefectural Governor's Award in the competition
1967 National Kokeshi Doll Exhibition; Prime Minister's Award
1967 Miyagi Prefectural Art Association Crafts Exhibition; Miyagi Prefectural Assembly Speaker's Award
1969 National Kokeshi Doll Exhibition; Artists Association Chairman's Award
1996 Received the Sendai City Skilled Worker Award
1996 Received the Miyagi Prefecture Outstanding Skilled Worker Award

Exhibitions | Memberships 🖼️

1967 Exhibited at the New York Interior Decoration Special Exhibition
1973 Exhibited at the London Interior Decoration Special Exhibition
1974 Exhibited at the Hamburg Interior Decoration Special Exhibition

Other📑

Sources

Evans, M., & Wolf, R. (2005). Kokeshi : wooden treasures of Japan : a visual exploration. Vermillion.
Evans, M., & Wolf, R. (2015). Sosaku Kokeshi: a New Look at an Old Tradition. Vermillion Publishing.
Evans, M., & Wolf, R. (2022). Sosaku Kokeshi: Celebrating the Major Artists of the Creative Movement (1st ed., p. 206). BookBaby.
admin. (2023, October 18). 高橋はしめ / Takahashi Hashime | 創作こけしの杜 Wonderful life with Kokeshi. Kokeshi-Sousaku.com. https://kokeshi-sousaku.com/takahashi-hashime/
Yamanaka, N. (1960). Kokeshi yearbook: 1960 edition. Tokyo: Aogabo.