Master Craftsmen of Gogatsu Doll

After graduating high school, he turned armor-making into a family business. He learned it from his father, Icchu, and he also was taught by armorer, Gotanda Hose. He received the training of “making Kozane (armor platelets)”.
Whenever the occasion arises, he conducts actual research of helmets and armor in Japan. Even now, he continues improving himself and studying hard.
His uncle is the late second Shuzan, his elder brother the second Icchu (real name: Hiroshi) and his second son is Kato Tomomi (real name: Tomoyoshi).
He received the Best Technique Prize (Gold Prize) at the 30th National New Festival Doll Contest.
Certified as a Traditional Craftsman of Traditional Craftwork, Edo Festival Doll in 2009.

From junior high school days, he helped his father, the first Icchu, and mastered the basics of armor making. After the death of the first Icchu in 1969, he became independent, and to this day, is the second Icchu.
He not only makes armor and helmets for Gogatsu Festival Dolls, but also repairs, reconstructs miniature models of real armor and works at shrines, temples, art museums, resource centers, and the like.
Became a Traditional Craftsman designated by Tokyo Metropolitan Governor in 1987.
Board member of Edo Armor Cooperative, Tokyo Hina Doll Industrial Cooperative Association.
Member of the Japan Society for Historical Research of Manners and Customs.
Representative Master Craftsman in the doll world.

Born in Tokyo. Since 1998, calls himself “Munemitsu”.
Received the Prime Minister’s Award and Tokyo Youth Meister.
Creator expected as a young armorer.
Certified as Traditional Craftsman of Traditional Craftwork, Edo Festival Doll.

Learned the basics from armorer, the first Toshimitsu.
As successor, continued to improve himself and, since 2007, calls himself “the second Toshimitsu.”
Received a lot of prizes including the Prime Minister’s Award at Tokyo Festival Doll Contest.
His style is gorgeous, as well as stately and genuine.
Certified as a Traditional Craftsman of Traditional Craftwork, Edo Festival Doll in 2009.

Born in 1969 in Koshigaya City, Saitama Prefecture, as the nineteenth head of the Okoshi family.
His father, the second Tadayasu, became his teacher in 1993.
Received the Prime Minister’s Award five times and the Minister of Economy, Trade, and Industry Award twice.
In 2008, became a Traditional Craftsman of Traditional Craftwork, Edo Festival Doll designated by the Minister of Economy, Trade, and Industry.

Engaged in the family business of armor and helmet making since 1966 and aims to make unique miniature armor, in high-quality and harmonious colors.
Received a lot of prizes, such as the Tokyo Metropolitan Governor Award in 1982, the Minister of Education Award in 1987 and 1993, and the Minister of Labour Award in 1996 at the Tokyo Festival Doll Contest.
Obtained the qualification as Saitama Traditional Craftsman designated by Saitama Prefecture, in 2005.
Certified as a Traditional Craftsman of Traditional Craftwork, Edo Festival Doll in 2008.

Born in Tokyo in 1946.
He was born into a family of doll makers started by his grandfather and entered the family’s doll store business in 1968.
Succeeded to the name of Gyokuho in 1994 and holds that title presently.
Taking over the features of the previous Gyokuho, produced a lot of pieces with metal carving on Kuwagata (hoe shapes), Fukikaeshi (curved plates) and folding screens.
Received the Prime Minister’s Award, the Minister of Education Award, the Tokyo Metropolitan Governor Award, and so on at Tokyo Festival Doll Contest.

Born on September 1968 in Nijojo-kita, Kyoto as the first son of the second Heian Bukyu (Sato Hisakazu).
His father, the second Heian Bukyu, became his teacher after the graduation from Kyoto University of Art and Design.
Following the former Kyoto-style armor making, he struck a new chord into Kyoto-style armor by adding a new feeling to the traditional skills.
Succeeded to the third Heian Bukyu in 2005.
Skills and heart were transmitted only to one child to keep the authentic tradition of “Kyoto-style.”
Aims to make Heian Bukyu the sole name in armor making. He forms armor wishing for the healthy growth of children and with pride in the skill of making Kyoto-style armor.

Born in August 1968, as the first son of the third Heian Issui.
After graduation from the Faculty of Commerce at Doshisha University, the third Heian Issui became his teacher in 1992 and he tried to master the skills of armor making.
Became the successor, as the fourth Heian Issui of Kazari armorer (craftsman for armor with metal ornament).
Produces a wide variety of work using traditional skills learned from his grandfather’s generation.
Also always tries to improve the quality of his work by actively inventing new skills and expressing refined, traditional beauty.
Certified as a Traditional Craftsman of Traditional Craftwork, Kyoto Doll in 2010.

Born in Kyoto City in 1936.
The previous Awataguchi Kiyonobu (received Medal with Dark Blue Ribbon twice and the Order of the Sacred Treasure, Silver Rays) was his teacher.
In 1989, was certified as a Traditional Craftsman of Traditional Craftwork, Kyoto Doll.
He tries to improve hand-making skills (especially cutting from a basic model), as well as detailed assembling and coloring. He maintains the tradition of Kyoto-style armor making.
Was awarded “Master Craftsman of Kyoto,” as an excellent technician of the Kyoto Traditional Industry. Works hard to pass Kyoto-style armor down to future generations and produces dolls with well-wishes for children’s healthy growth.
In 2007. produced the armor of the Muromachi period at the Jidai Matsuri (Festival of the Ages), Kyoto official event.
Commended by the Minister of Health, Labour, and Welfare as an Outstanding Technician (Contemporary Craftsman) in 2010.