Techniques and Spirit Inherited in Creating Dolls that Embrace the Heart
Koikō is a studio that inherits the techniques of two traditional crafts, "Edo Kimemkuri Ningyo" and "Edo Sekku Ningyo," with over 100 years of history, and handles both "Hina Dolls" and "Gogatsu Dolls."Craftsmen of a wide range of ages, from skilled artisans in their 70s to young artisans in their 20s, hone their skills daily and pass on their techniques and spirit to the next generation.
《 Third Generation Koikō 》Founded in Taniyacho, Shitaya, in Tokyo's downtown area in the first year of Taisho (1920), and has been involved in doll manufacturing for over ninety years since then.The current third-generation Koikō Matsuzaki was born in Tokyo in 1928 and apprenticed under his father, the previous generation, Yukio Matsuzaki (Second Generation Shōgyoku), at the age of 18 in 1971.In 1988, he created a warrior procession based on the "Shinsei" scroll of the Heiji Monogatari Emaki at the Kyoto Prefectural Museum of Art.In 1997, he apprenticed under Hideko Serikawa, a disciple of the Living National Treasure, Gōyō Hirata.In 2000, he was certified as a Traditional Craftsman by the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry, recognizing his numerous achievements. In 2005, he was selected as a Tokyo Meister by the Governor of Tokyo.To this day, he is one of the leading artists in the Edo Kimemkuri field, with numerous awards including the Prime Minister's Award and the Most Excellent Skill Award.
Kyoto Nishijin-ori "Oshima Kinran"A specialized dealer of Kinran (gold brocade) from high-quality pure silk Nishijin-ori. In 1983, his father, Takashi Oshima, established "Oshima Kinran" after working for about 30 years at a long-established wholesale Kinran dealer in Kyoto that had been in business since the late 1800s.The current representative, Hiroyuki Oshima, is the second generation. His clients include not only renowned doll makers but also prominent shrines and temples, and Living National Treasure-level swordsmiths. A specialized dealer of Kinran from high-quality pure silk Nishijin-ori, including genuine gold and hand-woven fabrics.
Hand-Painted Folding Screen 《 Yutaka Kudo 》Studied under Professors Akira Takitani and Kenjiro Mizushima of Takishome Kōgei in Tokyo. Received the Tokyo Dyeing Association Technology Award.After opening his studio in Kyoto, he has been involved in everything from design to finishing, using various techniques without being confined to a specific field. His work extends beyond general kimonos to include kimonos for sumo wrestlers, doll costumes, and folding screens.
― Notice Regarding Size and Weight ―・Estimated shipping time: Ships approximately 10 to 20 days after order confirmation.・Products on backorder, made-to-order products, and orders placed during shipping company or store holidays may not be delivered on the scheduled delivery date.Delivery may also be delayed due to weather conditions or land, air, and sea transportation circumstances.・Box measurements and weights vary depending on the product.The weight of small products on our website is around 1,000g, and for large helmets and armor, the approximate shipping weight is around 20,000g.・The dimensions listed on the website are the product sizes.