Sansaku Sekiguchi is widely regarded as one of the greatest kokeshi artists of all time. Born in Shibukawa City, Gunma Prefecture, he first trained as a painter before turning to the art of kokeshi. Between 1951 and 1957, he studied traditional kokeshi-making and from 1958 onward devoted himself entirely to the creation of Sosaku Kokeshi.

Sekiguchi is the only artist to have been officially recognized by the Japanese government as a “Master of Modern Kokeshi.” Throughout his career, he received an extraordinary number of awards, with more than fifty of his works earning major distinctions at national exhibitions.

A defining characteristic of Sekiguchi’s oeuvre is its remarkable diversity and ambition. He continuously developed new forms, themes and expressions, resulting in an exceptional number of unique works. At the same time, he was among the very few kokeshi artists to create monumental pieces on a large scale, expanding the artistic possibilities of the medium far beyond its traditional boundaries. This combination of originality, technical mastery and scale has made his work highly sought after by collectors and museums alike.

Sekiguchi is also the only kokeshi artist to have a museum dedicated exclusively to his work. Located in Gunma Prefecture, it houses and exhibits a substantial collection spanning his long and distinguished career.

Available Kokeshi Art by Sansaku Sekiguchi: