Takeda Masashi – Poetic Simplicity in Carved Wood

Takeda Masashi (武田正志, 1930 – 2015) was a Japanese Sōsaku Kokeshi artist from the Yonezawa – Yamagata region, celebrated for its wood-carving and Kokeshi traditions.
He trained under Takeda Usaburō and later worked alongside his brother Takeda Shinkichi.
From this classical foundation he developed a personal style that celebrates natural texture, soft form, and quiet symbolism.

Masashi is considered part of the second generation of creative Kokeshi artists (1960s–1970s) who valued artistic individuality and expressive freedom over decorative convention.

Style Characteristics:

• Natural wood grain as the main expressive medium

• Carved or engraved floral and nature scenes (wheat stalks, leaves, seasonal motifs)

• Minimal facial features with closed eyes and a small red mouth

• Warm, unpainted wood tones with subtle lacquer or color highlights

• Balanced, compact silhouettes with gentle head-to-body transitions

• Signature: 武田正志 (Takeda Masashi), sometimes accompanied by a red seal

His dolls convey tranquility, nature, and impermanence, echoing the ideals of wabi-sabi.
Each carved line feels like a quiet homage to Japan's landscapes — a moment of poetry preserved in wood.
Takeda Masashi's works are cherished by collectors for their craftsmanship, subtle lyricism, and human warmth.