A rare Tōgatta Kokeshi by Morimasa Sato (佐藤守正), a respected traditional kokeshi artisan from Japan's Tōhoku region.
This elegant wooden doll features a large, rounded head with finely painted eyebrows, expressive eyes, and a gentle smile. Its slender cylindrical body is decorated with delicate white iris flowers (花菖蒲), complemented by long green leaves and soft yellow accents. The floral pattern extends to the sides of the head, creating a harmonious, nature-inspired composition.
Unlike the traditional chrysanthemum motifs commonly found on Tōgatta kokeshi, this unusual iris design gives the piece a distinctive character. In Japanese culture, irises are associated with early summer, seasonal beauty, and strength.
Morimasa Sato born on December 4, 1926, in Fukushima, Morimasa Sato came from a family deeply connected to the Tōgatta kokeshi tradition. His father, Seisuke Sato, was a descendant of the renowned Sato woodturning lineage.
In 1945, Morimasa moved to Tōgatta and began training under his uncle, Eiji Asakura (朝倉英次). He later worked at the Kitaoka woodworking workshop, where he developed his distinctive craftsmanship and trained several apprentices.
From the 1950s, he became particularly recognised for recreating his father's traditional kokeshi designs, combining expressive brushwork with careful attention to historical forms. His work played an important role in preserving and developing the postwar Tōgatta kokeshi tradition.
He passed away in December 2017, leaving behind a remarkable legacy in Japanese wooden folk art.
Size: 8 x 8 x 24cm
