About 👤

A distinguished, multi-award-winning, woodworker and sōsaku Kokeshi artisan trained in the Sakunami/Yamagata tradition in Yonezawa, Yamagata Prefecture. Under the mentorship of Takeda Usaburo, Masashi honed his craft alongside his older brother Shinkichi, who remained a traditional Yamagata artist. Masashi’s work, however, ventured into the expressive realm of sōsaku Kokeshi, where individuality and artistic interpretation take precedence.

His dolls are celebrated for their exceptional carving and painted detail, often featuring intricately adorned kimono with floral motifs. A recurring theme in his work is the mother and child, rendered with sensitivity and balance, lathe-turned and joined with dowels to evoke serenity rather than sentimentality. These pieces reflect Masashi’s deep appreciation for the natural beauty of wood and his ability to convey emotional depth through form.

Takeda’s legacy lies in his ability to bridge traditional technique with creative innovation, making his work a standout in the sōsaku Kokeshi movement. Though biographical records are limited, his artistry speaks volumes, and his dolls remain cherished by collectors for their craftsmanship and quiet elegance. His works may bear a hanko, a hand-signed signature, and occasionally his name carved in kanji directly into the wood, each marking a quiet assertion of authorship and care.

Awards🏅

• 1967 All Japan Kokeshi Competition; Shiraishi Chamber of Commerce Chairman's Award
• 1970 All Japan Kokeshi Competition; Minister of International Trade and Industry Award
• 1971 All Japan Kokeshi Competition; Aomori Forestry Director's Award
• 1973 All Japan Kokeshi Competition; Chairman's Award.
• 1973 All Japan Kokeshi Competition; Yamagata Chamber of Commerce and Industry Chairman's Award.
• 1974 All Japan Kokeshi Competition; Maebashi Mayor's Award.
• 1975 Modern Kokeshi Academy Exhibition; Academy Award.
• 1988 Yonezawa City Technical Merit Award

Other 📑

Sources

1. Hashimoto. (2017, December 31). Takeda Masashi 武田正志. Kokeshi Wiki. https://kokeshiwiki.com/?p=1581

2. Admin. (2023, October 18). 武田 まさし / Takeda Masashi | 創作こけしの杜 Wonderful life with Kokeshi. Kokeshi-Sousaku.com. https://kokeshi-sousaku.com/takeda-masashi/

3. Shibukawa City Board of Education, Lifelong Learning Division. (1998). Creative Kokeshi Doll Exhibition in Shibukawa City: 20th & 5th catalogue, 1994–1998 (Ishihara, Ed.). Shibukawa City & Shibukawa City Board of Education.

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