K25057 - Traditional Tsuchiyu kokeshi by Ichiji Ouchi

This Tsuchiyu-style kokeshi, created by renowned artisan Ichiji Ouchi, is a vibrant example of the region’s traditional craftsmanship. The doll’s design features alternating red and turquoise horizontal stripes that wrap around the elongated body—an iconic feature of Tsuchiyu kokeshi. The head bears a gentle expression, with rounded eyebrows, small red lips, and bright floral patterns around the crown, emphasizing a sense of purity and charm. Ichiji Ouchi 大内 一次 was born on January 7, 1909, in Dake Onsen, Fukushima Prefecture, to Suzuki Kesakichi and Aki, who operated a woodcraft and souvenir shop. In 1920, he was adopted by Ouchi Tetsuzo, changing his family name to Ouchi. At just 16 years old, Ichiji began an apprenticeship under Shirai Kamekichi in Nikko, Tochigi Prefecture, where he trained in turning large wood items like trays and bowls. He later returned to Dake in 1929 to study kokeshi making from his father, eventually taking over the family workshop and souvenir shop, Matsunoya, by 1937. While his father continued to paint kokeshi for a time, Ichiji became the sole preserver of the Dake-style kokeshi tradition, a unique strain within the broader Tsuchiyu lineage. He also passed down his skills, teaching Imaizumi Fusao—a future Tsuchiyu kokeshi master—around 1967, and later mentoring his grandson Ouchi Shinji starting in 1983. Ichiji Ouchi passed away on March 22, 1985, at the age of 77, leaving behind a respected legacy in the world of traditional Japanese folk toys. Size: 7 x 7 x 24.5cm#K25057#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.