A baby sits in its basket – sheltered, still, almost hidden. The Ejiko form, originally inspired by the wooden carrying baskets in which children in the Tōhoku region were placed during fieldwork, is here reduced to its emotional essence: protection, warmth and security. This Kokeshi variant has long been regarded as an expression of maternal care – and Hideyuki Sato carries this tradition forward in its purest form.
The basket needs no motif. Broad, saturated Rokuro-Moyo lines in black, dark green, red and orange encircle the entire basket from top to bottom – bold, rhythmic, almost textile-like. No natural wood remains visible. Seen from above, the basket reveals its second face: concentric rings in dark green, orange and red, with the opening in orange and fine lines. The Rokuro-Moyo principle in its purest form.
Inside sits the Kokeshi figure: a round head, closed eyes in Fuse-me style, a delicate smile and red cheeks. The black hair crown is decorated with red ornamental blossoms and side strands of hair. From above: matt black, a Rokuro-Moyo circle in red and green, and a white dot at the centre. The baby sits like a quiet point within a loud sentence.
Special features
Ejiko Kokeshi in the Yajiro tradition
Basket: pure Rokuro-Moyo in black, dark green, red and orange
Kokeshi figure: Fuse-me eyes, Yajiro hair crown with red ornamental blossoms
Hair crown: matt black with a Rokuro-Moyo circle in red and green
Hideyuki Sato represents the third generation of the long-established Kijidokoro Sato workshop. As a Kokeshi kōjin, he masters the complete process, from selecting and preparing the wood to turning, painting and finishing each individual Kokeshi.
