1950s Japanese Wooden Kokeshi Doll, Hand-Turned Native Wood, Signed Saito Takeo

Details

Description

Japanese Wooden Kokeshi Doll, Hand-Turned Native Wood, Signed Saito Takeo. Vintage Japanese Kokeshi Doll Signed Saito Take Zao Takayu Traditional … Read more Japanese Wooden Kokeshi Doll, Hand-Turned Native Wood, Signed Saito Takeo. Vintage Japanese Kokeshi Doll Signed Saito Take Zao Takayu Traditional Wooden Folk Art "Made at Age 80"

An addition for collectors of authentic Japanese folk art. This large 12-inch traditional wooden kokeshi doll was hand-turned and painted by the celebrated master artisan Saito Takeo (1929–2016). ai

What makes this specific piece a rare find is the black ink inscription brushed onto the base by the artist himself. It features a commemorative milestone marker reading "八十才作" (Made at Age 80), dating its creation to approximately 1950. The signature also indicates it was painted during a residency or gathering at the historic Nuruyu Onsen (温湯温泉) in Aomori Prefecture, making it a wonderful cross-regional piece from a senior master's late-career period.

Saito Takeo belonged to the historic Zao Takayu branch (蔵王高湯系), one of the eleven recognized regional schools of traditional Tohoku wood-turned art. This doll beautifully showcases his lineage's signature style: a commanding face with expressive, slightly upturned eyes, and a robust body painted with stacked, vibrant red bands representing stylized chrysanthemum petals (kane-giku).


* Artist: 斎藤健男 (Saito Takeo, 1929–2016)
* Style Lineage: Zao Takayu Lineage (蔵王高湯系)
* Material: Hand-turned native Japanese wood
* Height: 12 inches (approx. 29.2 cm)
* Era: c 1950 Signed "Made at Age 80") (octogenarian)
* Provenance/Markings: Fully hand-signed and inscribed on the base in black sumi ink. ai guy.
2" at base, Head Diameter: 4.5", 12" Tall

Condition:
Excellent vintage condition with outstanding color preservation. The red and yellow pigments remain rich and deeply saturated. The wood grain shows a beautiful, clean, warm natural aging patina with no significant scuffs, water-staining, or sun-bleaching. Stands perfectly sturdy.


Saito Takeo Kokeshi, Traditional Kokeshi, Zao Takayu Doll, Signed Japanese Folk Art, Vintage Wooden Doll, Tohoku Wood Turning, Mingei Folk Art, Aomori Nuruyu Onsen, Collectable Kokeshi, Large Kokeshi 11 inch, Japanese Wood Craft, Asian Antiques, Master Artisan Doll

Shipping & Packaging Guide

FREE SHIPPING

You can be sure your item will be packaged with great care

We ship within the Continental US. Thank you.


Smooth shipping
Rave reviews
Free shipping See less