This traditional Tsuchiyu-style kokeshi was created by Haruo Sanpei (三瓶春男, 1929–1987), a post-war craftsman who carried on the rustic, expressive charm of the Tsuchiyu lineage. This doll is distinguished by its sharply defined facial features wide, observant eyes, strong brows, and a delicately painted mouth—all set against the natural grain of the wood. The slender, elongated body is accented with red, leaf-like motifs and bordered by simple horizontal lines, characteristic of the Tsuchiyu aesthetic that embraces a humble yet striking minimalism.
Haruo Sanpei was born on April 11, 1929, in Nishida-cho, Koriyama City, Fukushima Prefecture, as the second son of a farming family. His journey into kokeshi-making began relatively late; around 1971, he began his apprenticeship under Iwamoto Yoshizo, a respected Tsuchiyu artisan based in Nakanosawa. Sanpei’s training was strict and uncompromising—so much so that stories recall him being struck by his teacher for subpar work. This rigorous tutelage, however, shaped his skill and discipline, allowing him to eventually open his own workshop in Nakanosawa and faithfully continue the Yoshizo lineage.
Sanpei became a member of the “Takobozu Society”, a group formed in 1974 to celebrate and preserve Tsuchiyu-style dolls and their expressive forms, often characterized by bald, round-headed figures affectionately called takobozu (octopus heads).
Though his career was relatively brief, Sanpei's work reflects the deeply rooted traditions of Tsuchiyu, rendered with sincerity and a strong personal touch.
Size: 7 x 7 x 24.5cm
