A very old Nanbu-style kokeshi by Eikichi Sato is a fine example of the traditional Northern Tōhoku folk craft, reflecting a quiet elegance and timeless simplicity. The doll features a rounded head with a soft, gentle expression, delicately hand-painted with expressive black hair and arched eyebrows. Its body is decorated with a series of symmetrical, stylized floral or feather-like motifs in red pigment, descending vertically in balanced rhythm, hallmarks of the Nanbu lineage.
Eikichi Sato was born on October 10, 1906, in Shionegawa, Yamagata Prefecture, into a family deeply rooted in woodworking. His father was a multi-skilled artisan who introduced Eikichi to the craft early on. At just 13 years old, Eikichi became an apprentice of master kokeshi maker Sato Bunroku, gaining a solid foundation in woodturning and traditional techniques. Throughout his long career, Eikichi moved frequently across Northern Japan and even worked in Hakodate, Hokkaido. He contributed to both kokeshi and industrial woodworking, balancing craftsmanship with carpentry and factory roles. In the postwar years, he played a vital role in reviving kokeshi-making in Hanamaki and later established his own workshop.
Though he reduced production in his later years due to cataracts, Sato's contribution to Nanbu kokeshi-making remained significant. His legacy lives on through the calm expressions and refined silhouettes of his dolls, quiet yet powerful carriers of Japan's folk heritage. He passed away in 1996 at the age of 91.
