Zaō Kokeshi Shikishi by Endō Kōzō | 24 × 27 cm

This vintage Japanese shikishi depicts three stylised Zaō kokeshi, each with its own decoration of red flowers and soft blue-green foliage. The three different faces and body motifs give the work a playful character and create a particularly lively composition.

The work is signed 遠藤幸三 – Endō Kōzō. Endō Kōzō (遠藤幸三, 1911–1991) was a traditional kokeshi artisan of the Zaō Takayu school in Yamagata Prefecture. He learned woodturning and decoration in the historic Yorozuya workshop and continued working within the characteristic visual language of Zaō kokeshi.

The gentle faces, black hairstyles and floral decoration closely reflect the style for which Endō became known.

Dimensions: approx. 24 × 27 cm

Would you like to discover more about shikishi and their place within Japanese art and culture? Read more in our Tamashii Guide.

Every vintage piece in our collection has its own story and bears the marks of its past. Please examine the photographs carefully for an honest impression of its condition and any signs of age or use.