This vintage Togatta-style kokeshi was crafted by Sanzo Sato (佐藤三蔵, 1925–2000), a dedicated artisan from the famed kokeshi-making region of Togatta Onsen in Miyagi Prefecture. His work reflects a deep connection to both tradition and personal history, forged through decades of postwar craftsmanship.
Sanzo Sato was born on August 15, 1925, the fifth son of renowned woodcarver Toyoharu Sato. After graduating from Togatta Elementary School in 1940, he began work as a clerk for Sennan Transportation. In April 1943, during the war, he volunteered for the Yokosuka Second Marine Corps and was stationed at the Tagajō Naval Arsenal in Miyagi. Following the war’s end in August 1945, he returned home to train under his father Toyoharu—but after his father's sudden death in December that year, he continued his training under his younger brother Satomi Sato.
The kokeshi shown here is a wonderful example of Sanzo’s mature traditional work. It features the classic Togatta form—a straight, slightly tapering cylindrical body and a large, rounded head. The facial features are delicately painted, with closed crescent-shaped eyes and a gentle smile. The minimalist hairstyle and softly applied red brushwork on the head and body lend it a serene, timeless character.
The body is adorned with swirling red brushstrokes, a hallmark of older Togatta decorative style, subtly faded with age, giving the piece a warm, nostalgic glow. It carries the quiet dignity of a postwar artisan who helped anchor a folk tradition in the midst of sweeping social change.
In 1969, Sanzo renovated his home to open a shop, but closed it around 1997 due to age. He passed away on November 16, 2000, at the age of 75, leaving behind a modest yet enduring legacy in the world of Miyagi kokeshi.
Size: 7 x 7 x 24cm
