A vintage Togatta-style Dento Kokeshi by renowned Japanese artisan Tetsuro Sato (佐藤哲郎) from Togatta Onsen, Miyagi Prefecture.
This elegant wooden doll features a generously rounded head, delicate hand-painted facial features, and distinctive black hair patterns. Its slender cylindrical body is decorated with beautifully stylised chrysanthemum motifs, painted in expressive black brushstrokes against the natural wood.
The minimalist monochromatic design highlights the refined craftsmanship and traditional aesthetics of Tohoku folk art.
Tetsuro Sato born into a family of kokeshi craftsmen in Togatta Onsen, Tetsuro Sato began his apprenticeship in 1947 under his uncle, Yoshinosuke Sato, while also learning from his father, Yoshiya Sato.
He established his own workshop in 1950 and began producing traditional kokeshi around 1956. Renowned for his exceptional woodturning skills, Sato dedicated his career to preserving the Togatta tradition and training younger generations of artisans.
He passed away in 2022, leaving an important legacy in Japanese traditional kokeshi craftsmanship.
Originating from Togatta Onsen in Miyagi Prefecture, Togatta kokeshi are characterised by their large rounded heads, cylindrical bodies, expressive facial features, and traditional floral decorations, particularly chrysanthemums.
Size: 12 x 12 x 45cm
