Kokeshi With Double Darling - Takashi Hajime 1918-2002 - Hama1024-12

Originally trained in fine arts, Takahashi is from Sendai. It was in this region that traditional Kokeshi were born in the 19th century. He was first a painter of silk kimonos, using the "Yuzen" technique (a resist painting technique invented in the late 17th century). He devoted himself to kokeshi after the war, the "Sosaku kokeshi" movement, or creative kokeshi, attracting him with its innovative aspects. He is a winner of several prizes in annual Kokeshi competitions, receiving the Prime Minister's Prize, the highest honor awarded to Sosaku Kokeshi artists. All of his work is easily recognizable by the pictorial designs decorating his dolls. The artist's motifs range from plum blossoms (Ume), cherry blossoms (Sakura), Japanese irises (Ayame), or celebrating seasonal festivals with zodiac animals. About 20 awards between 1958-96 - Solo exhibition New York 1967...