Ryozo Tsujita | 辻田亮三

1923 Odawara City, Kanagawa Prefecture

About👤

Ryozo Tsujita’s path to Kokeshi-making was shaped by hardship and quiet resilience. A veteran of the Second World War, Tsujita endured years of detainment in Siberia, an experience that claimed much of his youth and left an indelible mark on his spirit.

In 1959, seeking meaning and restoration, he founded a studio in his hometown of Odawara, deeply inspired by the traditions of Hakone Wooden Works. Through the gentle art of crafting wooden Kokeshi, Tsujita poured his energies into reclaiming the time he had lost, breathing life into his creations with care and reflection.

His work is often viewed not merely as decorative, but as a deeply personal expression of perseverance, each figure carrying traces of memory, tribute, and quiet endurance. Each Kokeshi is individually hand-signed using sumi-e ink or woodburning techniques, and occasionally stamped with a hanko. They showcase a wide array of seasonal motifs, blossoms, dragonflies, children, and other natural symbols, that evoke a gentle rhythm of life and tradition. Tsujita's creations have been featured in numerous exhibitions and Kokeshi publications, earning admiration from collectors across the globe who continue to seek out and treasure his work.

Awards🏅

1963 National Kokeshi Doll Exhibition; Writer's Association Chairman's Award
1968 National Kokeshi Doll Exhibition; Small and Medium Enterprise Secretary's Award
1972 Japan Modern Kokeshi Academy Exhibition; Writer's Association President's Award
1973 All Japan Modern Kokeshi Exhibition; Academy Award
1981 All Japan Kokeshi Concours; Prime Minister's Award

Other📑

Exhibitions | Memberships 🖼️

He has held one solo exhibition. Member of Nippon KOKESHI Artistic Handicraft Association, and Odawara Handicraft Society.

Sources