We'll be using either Japan Post or DHL to ship your item. It will be shipped from Japan, so it will take some time to arrive. Please note that the prices of the items listed do not include taxes like duties. There may be scratches and dirt caused by age. If an item exceeds the specified size or weight, it may be shipped in multiple packages. ----- Signed Watanabe Masao (1917-2007) He was born on February 24, 1917, as the eldest son of farmer Watanabe Shozaburo in Funebiki Town, Fukushima Prefecture. From 1950, he made new types of kokeshi dolls in Shiroishi, but from 1951, he studied woodcarving techniques under Sato Tatsuo, the Yajiro. He also began making older styles. In 1952, he went independent and opened a shop in Koshigo Kakoyashiki, Shiroishi City, where he mainly produced new and original kokeshi dolls. He became famous as a creative kokeshi artist, and won numerous awards, including the Prime Minister's Award at the All Japan Kokeshi Competition. He occasionally made traditional styles, and by the 1960s had made a number of Yajiro-style kokeshi dolls. He passed away in 2007 at the age of 91. 35*12*12cm 1411g (F0570)