Tōa Sekiguchi – Poetic Expression in Sōsaku Kokeshi

Tōa Sekiguchi (関口東亜, b. 1942) is a Japanese kokeshi-shi from Shinto, Gunma Prefecture, and the son of the influential Sōsaku master Sansaku Sekiguchi (1925–2018).

He continued the Sōsaku (creative) Kokeshi tradition with a distinctive visual language centered on poetry, refinement, and emotional nuance. While his work builds upon the classical forms associated with his father, it is marked by a softer, more introspective expression.

Tōa Sekiguchi has received several distinctions within the Japanese Kokeshi world and is internationally appreciated by collectors of creative Kokeshi.

Stylistic characteristics

• Elongated, harmonious forms with subtle curvature

• Gentle, serene faces, often with closed or half-closed eyes

• Decoration featuring floral motifs such as cherry blossoms, combined with abstract patterns

• Warm color palette in red, black, and natural wood tones

• Signature: 関口東亜, brush-signed on the base, sometimes accompanied by a stamp

His Kokeshi are valued for their refined simplicity and timeless presence, and are regarded as enduring examples of contemporary Sōsaku craftsmanship.