The Ito family
In the early Edo period, the Ito family operated a medicine business near the present-day Shijo Karasuma area of Kyoto, with successive generations inheriting the trade name "Masuya Shogoro." During the Kyoho era, the head of the family, known for his manual dexterity and talent for doll-making, established himself as a master doll-maker. He took the title of "Imperial Doll Craftsman" and created the "Kusakari Doji" (Grass-Cutting Child), a figure depicting a child harvesting medicinal herbs, as a prayer for protection against illness and a guardian deity for the family.
Later, in the fourth year of the Meiwa era (1767) in the mid-Edo period, the third generation Shogoro was granted the name "Yusoku Goningyoshi Ito Kyuju" by Empress Go-Sakuramachi as an officially recognized doll-maker to the Imperial Court. Since then, it has been the tradition for each successive head of the family to adopt the name "Kyuju."
Furthermore, in the second year of the Kansei era (1790), the family was bestowed with the "Sixteen-Petal Double-Layered Chrysanthemum Crest" seal by Emperor Kokaku, with the instruction that it be used "to mark works of inspired craftsmanship."
To this day, for approximately 300 years since the first generation Shogoro, the family has continued to craft Gosho dolls used for celebrations within the Imperial Household.
"Kusakari Doji" by the first Shogoro Masuya
"Sixteen-petaled double-layered chrysanthemum crest," bestowed by Emperor Kōkaku
Gosho doll maker
Shogoro Ito, 13th Successor to Hisashige
Position
Japan Traditional Textile Research Institute
Director
Kyoto Lions Club
Member
Kyoto Traditional Forum
Member
Omotesenke Jimyokai
Member
Arashiyama Welfare Association
Councilor
Reiwa Kyoto Expo
Executive Committee Member
Doshisha Women's College of Liberal Arts
Part-time lecturer
Brief personal history
1971
Born in Kyoto as the eldest son of the Ito family, traditional makers of yusoku goshoningen (court dolls). His childhood name was Kenichi. He began learning the fundamentals of creation, such as "arabori" (rough carving), while in high school, and after graduating from university, he began his formal training as a goshoningen maker under his father, the 12th Hisashige.
2005
Presented the first work at Wako in Ginza.
2009
Special exhibition at the "Hisashige Ito: The World of Imperial Palace Dolls" held at the Sagawa Art Museum.
2010
Held my first solo exhibition, "Kenichi Ito Gosho Doll Exhibition," at Wako in Ginza.
2012
"The World of Gosho Dolls by Kenichi Ito" will be held at Hakone Yamaboushi.
2014
The "12th Ito Kyuju & Kenichi Exhibition" will be held at the Takashimaya Kyoto Store Art Gallery.
2014
"The World of Gosho Dolls by Kenichi Ito" exhibition is being held at Hakone Yamaboushi.
2014
The "Kenichi Ito Gosho Ningyo Exhibition" will be held at the JR Nagoya Takashimaya Art Gallery.
2015
Appointed as a part-time lecturer at Doshisha Women's College of Liberal Arts.
2015
The "Kenichi Ito Gosho Ningyo Exhibition" will be held at the Fukuya Hatchobori Main Store Art Gallery.
2016
"Japanese Crafts: Tradition and Future" will be held at Hakone Yamaboushi.
2018
The "Kenichi Ito Exhibition" is being held at the Hisashige Ito Museum of Traditional Court Dolls.
2019
On the day of His Majesty the Emperor's accession to the throne, he succeeded to the name "Shogoro" as the thirteenth heir-apparent of the Hisashige lineage.
2019
The "Gosho Doll Master Shogoro Ito Exhibition" will be held at the Takashimaya Osaka Store Art Gallery.
2020
The "1st Reiwa Kyoto Expo" will be held at Shoren-in Monzeki Temple.
2021
The 2nd Reiwa Kyoto Expo will be held at the Gion Kobu Kaburenjo Theater.
2022
The "Gosho Doll Master Shogoro Ito Exhibition" will be held at the Takashimaya Kyoto Store Art Gallery.
2022
The "Exhibition of Shogoro Ito, 13th Successor to Kyuju" is being held at the Kyuju Ito Museum of Yusoku Goningyoshi.
2022
The "3rd Reiwa Kyoto Expo" will be held at the Gion Kobu Kaburenjo Theater.
2025
The "Gosho Ningyo Doll Maker Shogoro Ito Exhibition - The Arrival of a Joyous Spring" is being held at the Takashimaya Kyoto Store Art Gallery.
2025
The "Hisashige and Shogoro Ito Exhibition - The World of Elegant Kyoto Arts and Crafts -" is being held at Keihanna Commemorative Park.
2026
The "Third Generation Itō Kyūjū Exhibition of Yūsoku Goningyōshi - Connecting Techniques and Spirit" will be held at Ginza Wako.
2026
Hosting "Shogoro Ito x Hinamatsuri" at SUMUFUMU TERRACE KYOTO.
