Kiyohara Takao 清原たかを (1916-) is one of the most popular and prolific of the creative Kokshi artists and began creating dolls after serving as a pilot in the Japanese/American war.
He was considered a transitional artist, due to the fact that many of his dolls resemble traditional Tougatta or Yamagata dolls. His dolls are artistically and minimally decorated. He was awarded the Minister’s Prize four times along with the Enterprise Agency top prize on two occasions. Kiyohara Takao’s Sōsaku Kokeshi are known for their Innovative and sculptural designs, often moving beyond the classic cylindrical body into more intricate and flowing shapes. Unique hand-painted motifs, incorporating both traditional Japanese aesthetics (such as cherry blossoms, cranes, or calligraphic brushstrokes) and modern abstract patterns. Lacquered surfaces for a polished and refined look.
The unique key characteristic of Kiyohara pieces is ‘the arched eyes and eyebrow. He employs simple turning techniques in either a straight fashion or a bulbous shape which aid in defining the body of each doll, and are directly inspired by Traditional kokeshi forms. Kiyohara Takao’s work is deeply respected in the Sōsaku Kokeshi movement, which emerged in the mid-20th century as a way for artists to explore kokeshi as a form of personal artistic expression rather than purely folk craft.
Their dolls are celebrated for their harmonious blend of tradition and innovation, making them sought after by collectors and enthusiasts of Japanese contemporary folk art.
