Vintage Sosaku Kokeshi Set Entitled: Kurōbāgāru no Mittsu-ri no Shimai, (Clover Girls) by Watanabe, Masao

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Dimensions: 5-1/2”h; 5-0”h; 3-0”h

These three rare dolls represent sisters and are quite unusual with exaggerated, egg-like shape heads. Each body has clover drawings suggestive of the natural flora seen throughout the countryside. The heads have a wisp of bangs on each with simple downturned eyes and red noses. The top of the heads are green representing the fields of clover and the bodies are detailed in red, yellow, and green, with a small clover in the center of each body. The largest doll has a clear lacquer finish and the other two have a candle wax finish. Two of the dolls are signed and have red stamps on the bottom. The smallest has a tiny stamp representing the artist's studio.

This Tanka, (Long Poem) was associated with the creation of this short series of dolls:

It’s all I have to bring today
this, and my heart beside
this, and my heart, and all the fields                                                                                   and all the meadows wide
be sure you count — should I forget                                                                                 someone the sum could tell
this, and my heart, and all the Bees which in the Clover dwell.

Condition: Very Good, original condition, with no fading or loss of color and consistent with age and standards of collectible Folk Art. There are finish/textural differences between dolls.