{"product_id":"kokeshi-japonaise-vintage-style-tsuchiyu-watanabe-sadami-21cm","title":"Vintage Japanese Kokeshi - Tsuchiyu Style - Signed Watanabe Sadami (渡辺定巳) - 21 cm","description":"\u003ch3 data-start=\"449\" data-end=\"474\"\u003e📐 \u003cstrong data-start=\"452\" data-end=\"474\"\u003eCharacteristics:\u003c\/strong\u003e\n\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli data-start=\"478\" data-end=\"539\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong data-start=\"522\" data-end=\"535\"\u003eOrigin:\u003c\/strong\u003e Japan, Tsuchiyu Onsen (Fukushima Prefecture), unearthed in Kanagawa Prefecture\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-start=\"478\" data-end=\"539\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong data-start=\"586\" data-end=\"598\"\u003ePeriod:\u003c\/strong\u003e Shōwa Era, dated 1969 (the artisan was 52 years old)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-start=\"478\" data-end=\"539\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong data-start=\"648\" data-end=\"659\"\u003eStyle:\u003c\/strong\u003e Tsuchiyu-kei (土湯系)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-start=\"478\" data-end=\"539\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong data-start=\"681\" data-end=\"694\"\u003eArtisan:\u003c\/strong\u003e Watanabe Sadami (渡辺定巳, 1917–1994)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-start=\"478\" data-end=\"539\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong data-start=\"731\" data-end=\"745\"\u003eMaterial:\u003c\/strong\u003e Hand-painted turned wood\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-start=\"478\" data-end=\"539\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong data-start=\"776\" data-end=\"789\"\u003eHeight:\u003c\/strong\u003e 21 cm\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-start=\"478\" data-end=\"539\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong data-start=\"798\" data-end=\"813\"\u003eSignature:\u003c\/strong\u003e Calligraphic inscription in black ink under the base: 「土湯 渡辺定巳 作 五二才」(Tsuchiyu Watanabe Sadami saku, 52 years old)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-start=\"478\" data-end=\"539\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong data-start=\"928\" data-end=\"938\"\u003eCondition:\u003c\/strong\u003e Excellent vintage condition – glossy varnish preserved\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-start=\"274\" data-end=\"329\"\u003e🧑🎨 \u003cstrong data-start=\"284\" data-end=\"327\"\u003eThe Artisan: Watanabe Sadami (1917–1994)\u003c\/strong\u003e\n\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"330\" data-end=\"979\"\u003eBorn in \u003cstrong data-start=\"335\" data-end=\"353\"\u003eTsuchiyu Onsen\u003c\/strong\u003e (Fukushima) into a family of wood artisans, \u003cstrong data-start=\"403\" data-end=\"422\"\u003eWatanabe Sadami\u003c\/strong\u003e began turning kokeshi in the late 1960s after learning the trade from his brother \u003cstrong data-start=\"528\" data-end=\"545\"\u003eWatanabe Toru\u003c\/strong\u003e, a major figure in the Tsuchiyu style. Heir to a solid family craftsmanship, he dedicated himself to restoring the charm of pre-war kokeshi while adding a personal touch: expressive faces, slender lines, and a delicate balance between simplicity and softness. His creations, made during the \u003cstrong data-start=\"860\" data-end=\"869\"\u003eShōwa\u003c\/strong\u003e era, embody the tranquil elegance of the \u003cstrong data-start=\"912\" data-end=\"928\"\u003eTsuchiyu-kei\u003c\/strong\u003e style and remain highly sought after by collectors.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-start=\"2089\" data-end=\"2117\"\u003e🌸 \u003cstrong data-start=\"2092\" data-end=\"2117\"\u003eAesthetic details:\u003c\/strong\u003e\n\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"2563\" data-end=\"2674\"\u003eThis \u003cstrong data-start=\"2580\" data-end=\"2589\"\u003e21 cm\u003c\/strong\u003e kokeshi, dated \u003cstrong data-start=\"2600\" data-end=\"2608\"\u003e1969\u003c\/strong\u003e, perfectly illustrates the \u003cstrong data-start=\"2641\" data-end=\"2653\"\u003eTsuchiyu\u003c\/strong\u003e style of the Shōwa years:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli data-start=\"2677\" data-end=\"2812\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong data-start=\"2677\" data-end=\"2703\"\u003eLarge and rounded head\u003c\/strong\u003e, adorned with a red \u003cstrong data-start=\"2722\" data-end=\"2756\"\u003eJanome (蛇の目, “snake eye”)\u003c\/strong\u003e motif at the top, typical of kokeshi from this region.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-start=\"2815\" data-end=\"2925\"\u003eVery elegant \u003cb\u003efutae-mabuta \u003c\/b\u003estyle eyes and pretty long nose \u003cstrong\u003enagabana.\u003c\/strong\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-start=\"2928\" data-end=\"3106\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong data-start=\"2928\" data-end=\"2956\"\u003eSlender cylindrical body\u003c\/strong\u003e, decorated with \u003cstrong data-start=\"2968\" data-end=\"3020\"\u003econcentric red, blue\/green, and purple bands\u003c\/strong\u003e, alternating with stylized motifs evoking leaves or petals (\u003cem data-start=\"3091\" data-end=\"3102\"\u003ehana-gara\u003c\/em\u003e).\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-start=\"3109\" data-end=\"3178\"\u003eWood patinated to a light honey hue, original varnish well preserved.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"3180\" data-end=\"3348\"\u003eThe inscription under the base, 「土湯 渡辺定巳 作 五二才」, indicates that this is a work created \u003cstrong data-start=\"3267\" data-end=\"3299\"\u003eby Watanabe Sadami at 52 years old\u003c\/strong\u003e, in the heart of his most creative period.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-start=\"3301\" data-end=\"3317\"\u003e🦝 \u003cstrong data-start=\"3304\" data-end=\"3317\"\u003eWe love:\u003c\/strong\u003e\n\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"3321\" data-end=\"3382\"\u003eA beautiful, classic, and well-balanced Tsuchiyu, all the finesse and delicacy of the style can be found in this Kokeshi. A true beauty!\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"KOGEDO","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":52125064560979,"sku":"K24","price":42.0,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0937\/8562\/0819\/files\/kokeshi-japonaise-traditionnelle-tsuchiyu-watanabe-sadami-1969-face.jpg?v=1760534988","url":"https:\/\/kogedo.com\/en\/products\/kokeshi-japonaise-vintage-style-tsuchiyu-watanabe-sadami-21cm","provider":"KOGEDO","version":"1.0","type":"link"}