Watanabe Kunihiko | 渡辺邦彦

1978 Shiroishi City, Miyagi Prefecture, Japan

About👤

Third-generation artisan Watanabe Kunihiko crafts Kokeshi that merge gentle whimsy with elegant form. Trained by his father Yuji-san and deeply influenced by his grandfather Masao-san, Kunihiko-san emphasizes warmth and healing in each piece, often using soft zelkova wood and rounded silhouettes to evoke comfort. His popular “Gentle Cat” series has charmed collectors across Japan with its quiet emotional resonance and tender smiles.

Kunihiko’s achievements include high honors from the Forestry Agency and the Ministry of Education, with his work featured in prestigious exhibitions and frequently selling out at venues like the Shimanuki Main Store in Sendai. He sees Kokeshi not merely as objects but as vessels of emotion, each one shaped with full-hearted devotion.

“Carving this beautiful material into a Kokeshi with a radiant smile day by day with my entire heart is what brings joy and healing to my life.”³

Awards🏅

2006 All Japan Kokeshi Contest; Forestry Agency Chief Award
2006 National Modern Kokeshi Exhibition; Japan Kokeshi Association Award
2007 All Japan Kokeshi Contest; Small and Medium Enterprise Agency Chief Award
2007 National Modern Kokeshi Exhibition; Japan Kokeshi Association Award
2008 National Modern Kokeshi Exhibition; Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology Award
2017 All Japan Kokeshi Contest; Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism award
2018 All Japan Kokeshi Contest; Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology Award
2019 All Japan Kokeshi Contest; Japan Tourism Agency Award
2022 All Japan Kokeshi Contest; Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology Award
2023 All Japan Kokeshi Contest; Sendai Chamber of Commerce Award

Exhibitions | Memberships 🖼️

Member of the Japan Kokeshi Crafts Association.

Other📑

Sources

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.
Taru. (2022, June 3). Watanabe Kunihiko - Kokeshi Japan. Kokeshi Japan. https://kokeshijapan.com/watanabe-kunihiko/ Retrieved 7/20/2025 For educational purposes Licensed under CC BY-NC 4.0
admin. (2023, October 18). 渡辺邦彦 / Watanabe Kunihiko | 創作こけしの杜 Wonderful life with Kokeshi. Kokeshi-Sousaku.com. https://kokeshi-sousaku.com/watanabe-kunihiko/ Retrieved 7/20/2025 For educational purposes Licensed under CC BY-NC 4.0
Shimanuki. WATANABE Kunihiko 木人形展. (2025). こけしのしまぬき｜こけしと東北の工芸品の店. Photo Credit and information from https://www.shimanuki.co.jp/event/watanabekunihiko.html Retrieved 7/20/2025 For educational purposes Licensed under CC BY-NC 4.0