{"title":"Eiko Shibata 柴田栄子","description":null,"products":[{"product_id":"k18149-sosaku-kokeshi-by-eiko-shibata-柴田栄子","title":"K18149 - Sōsaku kokeshi by Eiko Shibata 柴田栄子","description":"\u003cp\u003eThis sōsaku kokeshi by Eiko Shibata (柴田栄子, born 1924) reflects the gentle sensitivity and refined simplicity that define her long artistic career. One of the few prominent female artisans in the world of creative kokeshi, Shibata devoted over five decades to the craft, working in Sendai, Miyagi Prefecture, where she developed a distinctive and quietly poetic style.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe doll features a softly rounded head with a calm, slightly introspective expression—narrow eyes and a tiny red mouth delicately placed to convey serenity and warmth. The surface of the head shows natural aging and patina, adding character and a sense of history to the piece.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIts slender cylindrical body is finished in a soft pink washi, decorated with a minimal yet evocative motif of plum blossoms. This simplicity is characteristic of Shibata’s approach, where emotional nuance is expressed through restraint rather than elaborate ornamentation.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe overall composition is elegant and balanced, embodying a quiet femininity and a sense of seasonal beauty—perhaps suggesting early blossoms in spring. As with many of Shibata’s works, the piece carries a gentle, contemplative presence, making it both a collectible artwork and a deeply personal expression of the artist’s vision.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'San Francisco', 'Segoe UI', Roboto, 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif; font-size: 0.875rem;\"\u003eSize: 7 x 7 x 18cm\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Maison Kyo","offers":[{"title":"≈18cm","offer_id":56929630912843,"sku":"K18149","price":28.0,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0964\/9746\/7723\/files\/temple_96e89d19-049b-477e-93da-7d1d7f59a093.jpg?v=1775033621"},{"product_id":"k25163-sosaku-kokeshi-by-eiko-shibata-柴田栄子","title":"K25163 - Sōsaku kokeshi by Eiko Shibata 柴田栄子","description":"\u003cp\u003eThis Sōsaku Kokeshi by Shibata Eiko 柴田栄子 (born 1924) embodies the gentle sensitivity and refined simplicity that characterize her long and distinguished career. As one of the few prominent female artisans in the world of creative kokeshi, Shibata dedicated over five decades to her craft in Sendai, Miyagi Prefecture, developing a style that is both quietly poetic and deeply personal.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe doll features a softly rounded head with delicately painted, half-closed eyes and a subtle expression that conveys calm introspection. The natural wood grain is allowed to show through a warm, honey-toned finish, enhancing the organic beauty of the material. Simple, brush-painted hair frames the face, accented with small red floral touches that add a gentle note of color.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe slender body is decorated with hand-painted blossoms in muted red tones, arranged with an understated rhythm that echoes the changing seasons. A darker band across the midsection suggests landscape or earth, grounding the composition and adding depth to the otherwise minimal design.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTrue to Shibata’s aesthetic, the piece embraces wabi-sabi—the beauty of quiet imperfection—visible in the soft wear and aging of the surface, which only enriches its character. The overall harmony of form, color, and expression reflects her enduring pursuit of simplicity, warmth, and emotional subtlety.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg\u003e\u003cimg\u003e\u003cimg\u003e\u003cimg\u003e\u003cimg\u003e\u003cimg\u003e\u003cimg\u003e\u003cimg\u003e\u003cimg\u003eSize: 7 x 7x 23cm\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Maison Kyo","offers":[{"title":"≈25cm","offer_id":57013752594763,"sku":"K25163","price":36.0,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0964\/9746\/7723\/files\/temple_b3f28c8f-3143-488d-92b3-44faf282a1b9.jpg?v=1775988936"},{"product_id":"k30100-sosaku-kokeshi-by-eiko-shibata-柴田栄子","title":"K30100 - Sōsaku kokeshi by Eiko Shibata 柴田栄子","description":"\u003cp\u003eA distinctive vintage Sōsaku Kokeshi created by celebrated female artisan Eiko Shibata 柴田栄子 (1924–), titled “Kusa no Iori” 草の庵, meaning approximately “Hermitage Among the Grasses” or “Grass Hut.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis elegant figure depicts a woman in kimono, distinguished by her unusually tall, sculptural black coiffure. The hair is decorated with a striking red panel and white botanical motif, creating a strong contrast with the natural warmth of the wood. Her kimono is painted with large plum-toned circular forms, while the vivid orange obi is accented with green, white blossoms, and a stylized branch. The restrained facial expression and elongated silhouette give the doll a graceful, quietly theatrical presence.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eShibata worked in Shiroishi City, Miyagi Prefecture, an area closely associated with the history of kokeshi craftsmanship. In 1948 (Shōwa 23), she founded Shibata Kōgeisha 柴田工芸舎 and devoted herself to wooden doll making for more than half a century. At a time when the post-war kokeshi world was still largely dominated by male artisans, she established herself as one of the important women working within the modern creative kokeshi movement.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBeginning in the late 1950s, Shibata received numerous awards for her work, culminating in 1993 (Heisei 5) when she was awarded the prestigious Prime Minister’s Award (内閣総理大臣賞) at the All Japan Kokeshi Contest, one of the most important distinctions in the field.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis example is especially appealing for its fusion of traditional Japanese feminine imagery with the bold proportions and simplified forms characteristic of post-war Sōsaku Kokeshi. The original period box is also preserved, bearing the branding of Nihon Shumi no Kai 日本趣味の会, adding further vintage character and provenance to the piece.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSize: 8 x 8 x 30cm\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Maison Kyo","offers":[{"title":"≈30cm","offer_id":58547683426635,"sku":"K30100","price":75.0,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0964\/9746\/7723\/files\/Cover_4ff311de-52b7-4d92-b959-26bb71fa0524.jpg?v=1789979526"}],"url":"https:\/\/maisonkyo.be\/collections\/eiko-shibata-%e6%9f%b4%e7%94%b0%e6%a0%84%e5%ad%90.oembed","provider":"Maison Kyo","version":"1.0","type":"link"}