K30028 - RARE Tsuchiyu Kokeshi by Shinichi Abe

This rare and striking Tsuchiyu-style kokeshi was crafted by Shinichi Abe (阿部新一, 1928–), a master known for his bold expressions and deep connection to Fukushima’s local folk traditions. Born on July 20th, 1928, in Fukushima City as the eldest son of Gennosuke Abe, he came from a family of woodworkers specializing in Buddhist statues and wooden crafts. Shinichi, however, took a different path—he studied the potter’s wheel technique under Hitoshi Watanabe of Tsuchiyu Onsen. Around 1975, he inherited Watanabe's distinctive style and began making kokeshi in Arai Jizohara, Fukushima City. Standing at an impressive 31 cm, this doll exemplifies Abe’s dynamic and colorful interpretation of the Tsuchiyu kokeshi tradition. It features his signature bold brushwork in vibrant red, green, and black rings, and includes striking painted motifs such as the kanji 福 (fuku, meaning "good fortune")  The doll’s face displays the classic Tsuchiyu features: slender, arching eyes, a small, poised mouth, and side-parted hair framed by a red headband. The robust base and tall cylindrical form give the doll a strong presence. Abe’s work bridges regional tradition and playful folk design, making his dolls highly collectible. This piece is not only a vibrant display of Tsuchiyu craftsmanship but also a heartfelt expression of the maker’s roots in the woodcraft and kokeshi heritage of Fukushima. Size: 8 x 8 x 31cm#K30028#TradKYO#TsuchiyuKYO· · ──── ✨𝘼𝙘𝙘𝙚𝙨𝙨 𝙊𝙪𝙧 𝘿𝙖𝙩𝙖𝙗𝙖𝙨𝙚✨ ──── · · 𝐸𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑦 𝑖𝑡𝑒𝑚 𝑠𝑜𝑙𝑑 𝑛𝑜𝑤 𝑐𝑜𝑚𝑒𝑠 𝑤𝑖𝑡ℎ 𝑎 𝑐𝑒𝑟𝑡𝑖𝑓𝑖𝑐𝑎𝑡𝑒 𝑓𝑒𝑎𝑡𝑢𝑟𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑎 𝑢𝑛𝑖𝑞𝑢𝑒 𝑄𝑅 𝑐𝑜𝑑𝑒 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑆𝐾𝑈 𝑛𝑢𝑚𝑏𝑒𝑟. 𝑆𝑖𝑚𝑝𝑙𝑦 𝑠𝑐𝑎𝑛 𝑜𝑟 𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑒𝑟 𝑖𝑡 𝑡𝑜 𝑎𝑐𝑐𝑒𝑠𝑠 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑝𝑟𝑜𝑑𝑢𝑐𝑡 𝑖𝑛𝑓𝑜𝑟𝑚𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑎𝑛𝑦𝑡𝑖𝑚𝑒.