Hideo Ishihara (1925-1999)

Hideo Ishihara has created some of the most intriguing kokeshi Art during the Sosaku-Creative Movement in the 60s. He won over 60 awards including the Prime Minister Award. He is also the grandson of Iwataro Onuma, the Kokeshi artist credited with originating the Naruto Kokeshi style. In 1964, he organized the Poetic Craft Exhibition that was groundbreaking. His work was also introduced to countries in Europe and America by NHK. He has sponsored 30 exhibitions in Japan including those at Matsuzakaya Nagoya and Ginza, and four exhibitions in overseas countries. He was one of the founders of the NKAHA, (Nippon Kokeshi Artistic Handicraft Association).

Hideo graduated from Tohoku University with a degree in science and was initially a Narugo Master like his grandfather. Unfortunately, Hideo became ill for 10 years (1959-1969). During his medical treatment, he studied painting under Genichiro Inokuma. He lost interest in the traditional Kokeshi forms for he felt they were stagnating by family standards, and became an avid proponent of Sosaku Kokeshi allowing him the artistic freedom to experiment with various designs and forms. Upon recovering, he moved to Sendai and began making sosaku Kokeshi.