Yousai Inoue

  • Dolls
  • 1952 -
Yousai Inoue

1. My source of creation is insatiable curiosity and spirit of inquiry. My imagination is added to this, a theme is born, followed by the form and colors.
2. A doll is made in the form of a human, but I want to keep it dreamy in a way. I want to make pure, beautiful and cute dolls that people would want to keep beside them for a long time.
3. I mainly use wooden core covered with tōso (mixture of paulownia sawdust and paste) to make the dolls, but I sometimes make papier- mâché dolls and carved wooden dolls.
4. I cover the dolls with paper or cloth. Recently, I use mineral pigments and urushi lacquer to paint the dolls.
5. I started using urushi lacquer because of its excellent durability. I hope my dolls will remain as they are now even after I'm gone..

Membership Full member, Japan Kogei Association
Councilor of Nara Prefecture Art Exhibition
  • 1952 Born in Osaka, Birth name: Motoko Inoue
    Graduated from Osaka College of Music, but gave up career in vocal music due to health problems
  • 1982 Moved to Kashihara City, Nara Prefecture and started to make dolls
  • 1986 Changed name to Yousai Inoue and becomes a professional doll artist
  • 1995 Becomes a disciple of living national treasure doll artist Nobuko Akiyama
    Selected for the first time at the Japan Traditional Kogei Exhibition
  • 1998 Becomes full member of the Japan Kogei Association
  • 2002 Becomes assistant for a cultural property preservation activity, "Costume Dolls" transmission course held by the Agency of Cultural Affairs
  • 2012 Awarded for distinguished service in arts and crafts by Osaka Prefecture
  • 2017 Evaluator for the Japan Traditional Kogei Exhibition Kinki Branch
  • 2018 Receives the Constitution Day Award from the Governor of Osaka Prefecture
  • 2020 Evaluator for the Japan Traditional Kogei Exhibition
  • 2021 Evaluator for the Japan Traditional Kogei Exhibition Kinki Branch
    Evaluator for the Japan Traditional Kogei Exhibition

  • 1998"Ako" (meaning "My Child") receives Asahi Shimbun Award at the Dolls Traditional Kogei Exhibition
    Received 3 more awards for other pieces at the same exhibition after this
  • 2003"Meiso" (meaning "Meditation") receives Nikkei Inc. Award at the Japan Traditional Kogei Exhibition Kinki Branch
    Received 5 more awards for other pieces at the same exhibition after this
  • 2015"Mezame no Toki" (meaning "Time to Wake Up") receives Japan Kogei Association President's Award at the 62nd Japan Traditional Kogei Exhibition
  • 2019"Yamato Mahoroba" (meaning "Yamato - A Wonderful Place") receives Yomiuri Shimbun Award at the All Kansai Exhibition
13 artworks posted