Exclusive Rare Vintage Creative Kokeshi by renowned artisan Ikuyoshi Yokozuka - Mother and child

This is a Sōsaku kokeshi (creative-style kokeshi) by Ikuyoshi Yokozuka, depicting a mother and child in a tender embrace.

Short description:

A minimalist wooden composition of two stylized figures—a larger mother and a smaller child—leaning closely together. The smooth, rounded shapes and subtle facial features (notably the expressive eyes and small red accents) convey warmth, protection, and intimacy. The contrast between natural wood tones and a brightly colored garment adds both simplicity and visual focus.

Typical of Yokozuka’s style:

• Strong emotional expression, especially through the eyes
• Clean, abstract forms with minimal decoration
• Emphasis on form and feeling over detail

Meaning:

Like many kokeshi, it symbolizes love, connection, and maternal care, capturing a quiet, universal moment between parent and child.

Born in Chichibu, Saitama (birthdate unknown), Yokozuka-san later worked mainly in Yonezawa, Gunma. He began making Kokeshi in 1964 and was honored with the Prime Minister’s Award in 1966 with this particular design!

Height: 11,5cm

Weight: 150g

Please always take a close look to the pictures to determine the condition of the kokeshi.