Kato Tatsuo Tree Sisters 樹木姉妹 Japanese Sosaku Creative Kokeshi sculpture 20in For Sale

There is something quietly arresting aboutTree Sisters (樹木姉妹).

Standing approximately20 inches tall, this substantial Japanesesōsaku kokeshibyKato Tatsuo (加藤龍雄)takes the familiar language of the kokeshi figure and transforms it into something more sculptural, personal, and elemental.

The elongated body retains the quiet verticality associated with traditional Japanese kokeshi, yet Kato’s approach is unmistakably his own. The figure’s serene expression sits beneath an intricately carved dark coiffure, while the patterned kimono introduces an intimate layer of geometry, floral motifs, and movement.

Then the wood takes over.

Rather than concealing the natural character of the material beneath a uniform painted surface, Kato allows the body to retain its irregular grain, tonal variation, and organic markings. The exposed wood becomes part of the figure itself—almost as though the woman has emerged from the tree rather than simply been carved from it.

It is this relationship betweenfigure, wood, pattern, and restraintthat makes the work so compelling.

Tree Sisters does not demand attention through scale alone. Its character emerges slowly: the delicacy of the face, the precision of the hair, the patterned kimono, and the remarkable surface of the wood reward closer observation.

The result is a sophisticated example of Japanesecreative kokeshi—a work that sits comfortably between folk tradition, craft, and modern Japanese wood sculpture.

English:Tree Shimai

The underside is inscribed in Japanese and bears the artist’s red seal.

Kato Tatsuo (b. 1940)is a distinguished Japanesesōsaku kokeshiartist born in Maebashi, Gunma Prefecture, and based in Shibukawa, one of Japan’s important centers for creative kokeshi.

Kato began studying kokeshi at the age of 20, entering an apprenticeship with the celebrated masterSekiguchi Sansaku, who became an important influence on his development. Gunma Prefecture records that Kato’s early work quickly attracted attention; at age 26, his workYūzukireceived theMinister of International Trade and Industry Awardat the All-Japan Kokeshi Competition. Kato has described his subsequent development as a search for his own distinctive curves and artistic language.

His work is recognized for its expressive faces, sculptural forms, distinctive hairstyles, intricate kimono decoration, and sensitive use of natural wood.

Kato has worked with woods includingkeyaki (Japanese zelkova), hiba (Japanese cypress), mizuki (giant dogwood), and enjyu (Japanese pagoda tree). Because the specific species used forTree Sistershas not been independently confirmed, we make no representation as to the species of wood in this particular sculpture.

In interviews, Kato has spoken about drawing inspiration frompeople and their individual personalities, as well as from Japanese painting and traditional textile decoration. He has also discussed his fascination with subjects includingthe moon, nighttime, and foxes.

His work is particularly notable for the way he moves beyond the strict formal vocabulary of traditional kokeshi. The resulting figures remain unmistakably Japanese, yet possess an individuality that places them firmly within the modernsōsakutradition.

Kato Tatsuo’s importance is not solely historical.

He remains an active artist today.

In 2025, Shibukawa City identified Kato as a local artist whocontinues to maintain a studio in Shibukawa and actively create new work. The city also featured his work as part of its ongoing exhibitions celebrating the creative kokeshi artists of Shibukawa.

His continuing artistic activity has also been recognized through recent competition results.

At the65th All-Gunma Modern Kokeshi Competition in 2025, Kato Tatsuo’s workFutari no Naka(二人の仲) received theMinistry of Economy, Trade and Industry Awardin the New-Style Kokeshi category. Another work by Kato,Shizuka na Otome(静かな乙女), received theNihon Keizai Shimbun Maebashi Bureau Chief’s Awardin the Creative Kokeshi category.

This continued recognition places Kato’s work within the living, evolving tradition of Japanese creative kokeshi rather than solely within its history.

Kato Tatsuo’s career has been recognized repeatedly in Japan, including:

1972— Deputy Prime Minister’s Award, All-Gunma Modern Kokeshi Competition

Multiple occasions— Ministerial Awards at the All-Gunma Modern Kokeshi Competition; Shibukawa City records document17 ministerial awards

2007— Gunma Prefecture Governor’s Award for Outstanding Skill

2011— DesignatedContemporary Master Craftsman (Gendai no Meikō)by Japan’s Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare

2015— Awarded theMedal with Yellow Ribbon (Ōshō)

2017—Prime Minister’s Award, All-Gunma Modern Kokeshi Competition

2025—Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry Award, 65th All-Gunma Modern Kokeshi Competition, forFutari no Naka(二人の仲)

The Shibukawa City government specifically identifies Kato as both aContemporary Master Craftsmanand recipient of theMedal with Yellow Ribbon, and documents his major competition awards.

One of the most compelling aspects of Kato’s work is his relationship with the material itself.

Gunma Prefecture has documented Kato’s distinctive approach to creating the characteristic curves found in many of his works. Rather than simply turning a perfectly centered cylinder, Kato developed forms byoffsetting the center of the wood when mounting it on the lathe, allowing him to create unusual curves and asymmetrical profiles.

That sensitivity to the material is especially relevant toTree Sisters.

Here, the natural character of the wood is not merely a background for the figure. The irregular surface, variations in color and grain, and areas of exposed wood become part of the visual language of the sculpture.

The result is a figure that feels simultaneouslyhuman and botanical—an especially fitting quality for a work titledTree Sisters.

Height:20 inches / 50.8 cm
Maximum Width:4.25 inches / approximately 10.8 cm

Measurements are approximate and may vary slightly depending upon where the sculpture is measured.

Please examine all photographs carefully, as they form an important part of the condition description.

This is an original, pre-owned Japanese wooden art object and exhibits the natural surface variation and character associated with a handmade work of this type.

The body retains substantial variations in grain, color, surface texture, and natural wood character. These qualities are visible throughout the sculpture and are considered part of the visual character of the work rather than represented as a uniform manufactured finish.

As with any pre-owned wooden art object, minor age-related characteristics, handling marks, surface variation, or other evidence of its history may be present.

No restoration or alterations

This work is presented as aKato Tatsuo / 加藤龍雄sculpture based upon the artist’s inscription and red seal on the underside, together with the form and artistic characteristics of the work.

The Japanese title樹木姉妹and romanizationJūmoku Shimaiare included to assist Japanese-speaking collectors and international researchers.

Photographs document the artist inscription, seal, construction, surface, proportions, and overall condition.

Creative kokeshi emerged in Japan as artists began moving beyond the fixed forms and conventions of traditional kokeshi, treating the wooden figure as an individualized medium for artistic expression.

Shibukawa, Gunma became one of the important centers of this movement. The city describessōsaku kokeshias a form characterized by freedom of shape and design, and continues to support exhibitions dedicated to its artists and their work.

Kato Tatsuo occupies a particularly interesting position within that history.

He belongs to an older generation of artists who helped establish the artistic possibilities of creative kokeshi, yet he remains active in his Shibukawa studio and continues to participate in contemporary Japanese kokeshi exhibitions and competitions. His work has therefore become part of both thehistory and continuing evolution of Japanese creative kokeshi.

At approximately20 inches tall,Tree Sisters / 樹木姉妹is an especially substantial example.

Its scale, sculptural silhouette, natural wood surface, patterned kimono, Japanese inscription, and artist’s seal make it equally compelling as a work of Japanese craft, a sculptural decorative object, or part of a serious collection ofsōsaku kokeshi and Japanese wood art.

AtCasa Silencio, we believe objects carry memory.

We look for works that possess something beyond decoration—craftsmanship, character, material presence, provenance, and a story worth carrying forward.

Tree Sistersspeaks particularly beautifully to that idea.

The figure is unmistakably human, yet the wood remains visible. The decoration is intricate, yet restrained. The work belongs to a long Japanese tradition, yet its form is distinctly personal.

It is an object made by an artist who has spent decades learning from wood, tradition, people, and place—and who continues to make work today.

Kato Tatsuo’s Tree Sisters / 樹木姉妹 is offered as a substantial example of Japanese sōsaku kokeshi for the collector who appreciates the intersection of Japanese craftsmanship, sculpture, natural material, and design.