Tokumaru Etsuko | 徳丸えつこ

1956 Edogawa Ward, Tokyo

About👤

Born in Edogawa-ku, Tokyo, Tokumaru-sensei discovered her passion for Kokeshi-making at the age of 36. She skillfully works with various types of wood, mainly Mizuki and Hiba, and occasionally Keyaki. Her Kokeshi feature beautifully carved designs that reflect traditional Kimono and clothing styles. Tokumaru-sensei adds playful elements, painting her Kokeshi with flowers, purses, and even hats!

While typical Kokeshi often have concealed hands, Tokumaru-sensei creatively incorporates them into her innovative designs. Her pieces are hand-signed in sumi-e ink and bear her hanko. They often come with name-plaques.

Tokumaru Etsuko currently resides in Tokyo, some of her hobbies include marquetry, kimono, piano, watching YouTube and, of course, Kokeshi making! She studied Kokeshi making with Fumiko Ikari-sensei [Personal communication].

Awards🏅

1999 National Modern Kokeshi Exhibition Encouragement Award
2001 National Modern Kokeshi Exhibition Crafts Association Award
2003 National Modern Kokeshi Exhibition Tokyo Shimbun Award
2005 National Modern Kokeshi Exhibition Minister of Education Encouragement Award
Heisei 2017 All Japan Kokeshi Contest Gunma Prefectural Governor's Award
Japan Kokeshi Craft Association Doujin, Creative Kokeshi Class Lecturer Lives
in Sumida Ward, Tokyo

Exhibitions | Memberships 🖼️

Japan Kokeshi Crafts Association (日本こけし工芸会とは)

Other📑

Sources

Shibukawa City Board of Education, Lifelong Learning Division. (2008). *Creative Kokeshi Doll Exhibition in Shibukawa City: 15th anniversary commemorative catalogue, original Kokeshi and its artists*. Shibukawa City & Shibukawa City Board of Education.
Shibukawa City & Shibukawa City Board of Education (2013). National Creative Kokeshi Art Exhibition in Shibukawa 20th anniversary commemorative magazine: Kokeshi Art, Lifelong Learning Division, Shibukawa City Board of Education.
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.
Molina, M. (Ed.). (2024). Folk art celebrating women artisans. In J. Holmgren (Ed.), Kokeshi Trends Journal (Special Issue 4)