This evocative Sōsaku Kokeshi titled 「おぼろ」 (Oboro – “Hazy” or “Veiled”) is a work by 関口東亜 (Sekiguchi Tōa), an award-winning artist from Shibukawa City, Gunma Prefecture, and the son of the renowned kokeshi craftsman Sansaku. Tōa belongs to a distinguished family of kokeshi makers and continues to work alongside his family, carrying forward and evolving the Sōsaku tradition.
The form of this piece is striking in its simplicity: a rounded, cocoon-like red body from which a small head gently emerges. The figure appears partially hidden, as if wrapped or protected, creating a sense of intimacy and quiet stillness. The face is delicately rendered with closed eyes and a small red mouth, conveying a tranquil, dreamlike expression—perfectly aligned with the title “Oboro,” suggesting something softly obscured or seen through a gentle haze.
The surface is finished in a warm vermilion red, subtly textured with signs of age and handling, giving the piece a lived-in, tactile quality. A minimal bamboo motif is painted on the body, its slender leaves echoing themes of resilience and quiet elegance. The restrained decoration allows the form and color to take center stage, emphasizing mood over ornamentation.
Sekiguchi Tōa is a highly respected figure in the world of creative kokeshi, having received numerous prestigious awards, including the Ministry of International Trade and Industry Award (1978–79) and later the Prime Minister’s Award. His works—such as Kaze ni Fukarete, Utage, and Chikurin—are celebrated for their emotional subtlety and refined design, often marked with his script signature and recognition as a top-level award-winning artist.
Size: 7 x 7 x 9cm
