Kokeshi 154

Large Kokeshi Doll by Inosuke Kobayashi - Approximately 38.5 cm tall

Kobayashi was born in 1931 in Gunma Prefecture and died early, with no published record of his death. He studied oil painting while in school, and evident in his works of which several were awarded the coveted Prime Minister award in 1979. As collectors, it was most important to represent Kobayashi-san along with all Sosaku Kokeshi artists, whether or not the artist has a written account of his or her life.

Kobayashi-san created a limited number of dolls, most showing simple to elaborate treatment of the Kimono illustrating a diversity of textile design and workmanship, and most of all brocades giving character to his pieces. Each are an important record of Japanese textile arts of the period, showing the diversity of his cultural emphasis, dignity, and humility. From our records of conversations, Kobayashi-san claimed that the dolls shown in this overview were his favorites, all of which were difficult to pass on to other Kokeshi enthusiasts.