Nakanozawa Traditional Kokeshi (Tako-bozu) from Fukushima Prefecture Size: (approx.) 10.5cm Lineage: Tsuchiyu Master: Yozo Iwamoto Craftsman: Yoichi Arakawa Notes: Please understand that this is a used item before purchasing. We do not accept returns or exchanges after shipping, so please confirm the photos. This kokeshi doll has a somewhat unusual face, affectionately nicknamed "Tako-bozu" (octopus monk) for its wide eyes and red circles around them. The "Tako-bozu" kokeshi originated in Nakanozawa Onsen, Fukushima Prefecture, and was created by Zenkichi Iwamoto. Originally considered a sub-lineage of the Tsuchiyu style, it is now classified as Nakanozawa kokeshi, having separated and become independent. ◎Craftsman: Yoichi Arakawa (1938-) Born as the eldest son of Seisaku Arakawa, a pioneer farmer, in Aizuwakamatsu City on November 13, 1938. Later, his father moved to Yokohama and worked at Nippon Kokan, and then moved near Itsura in Ibaraki, where he worked on a sardine boat, so Yoichi also moved around with his father. In 1960, realizing that the future was uncertain in pioneering and charcoal making, he decided to change jobs and entered the Kamiyama Woodworking Factory in Aizuwakamatsu, where he learned woodturning from Noboru Kamiyama. Here, he mainly turned souvenirs, but the most produced item was the Hula Dance doll, a souvenir for the Joban Hawaiian Center, which opened in 1966. In 1970, he aimed to produce traditional kokeshi dolls and became a disciple of Yozo Iwamoto of Nakanozawa, and began to produce the Yozo style. In the New Year of 1972, Haruji Sato and Yozo Iwamoto had the opportunity to demonstrate their skills at Tokyo Daimaru and Yokohama Takashimaya, and Yoichi Arakawa also participated in this, performing demonstrations at department stores. After returning home, he asked Yozo for permission to produce the Zenkichi style, which he obtained, so he researched the kokeshi dolls of Zenkichi Iwamoto and, at the suggestion of collector Yusuke Tsuzuki, reproduced the collection of Takeo Takei, which was published in the "Kokeshi Aizo Zufu" (Illustrated Book of Kokeshi Collection). In 1973, his master, Yozo Iwamoto, passed away. After that, In 1975, he produced the Chiyogoro Ogura style and the Jinkuro style at the request of Akio Ueki. In 1976, at the recommendation of Tokio Shikama, he reproduced the Iichi Ujiie style and the Asomi Matsuki style of Sukagawa. In 1985, he also reproduced the Naoyuki Isoya style on the occasion of the publication of "Aigan Koraku" by Kodo Suzuki. ◎⤵︎Search Terms #TraditionalKokeshi #Takobozu #LocalToys #TsuchiyuStyle #Crafts #FolkCrafts #Takobozu #YoichiArakawa #NakanozawaKokeshi Peasant Art Folk Crafts Mingei Wood Carving Wood Carving Fuku-kan (Lucky Can) MUJI Koppa Ningyo (Wood Chip Dolls) Koppa Ningyo (Wood Chip Dolls) folktoy Kinohana (Wooden Flowers) Tokuju Saito Masasumi Sakai Haruo Sanpei Choichiro Watanabe Yoshio Fukuchi Hiroshi Honda Fumio Kakizaki Nobuo Honda Shigeharu Seya