Artisan | Woodworker: Aoki, Chikako

Origin: No Biography

Historically, the Japanese have been a very modest people. Japanese artists, in particular, felt their work spoke for them, and so for centuries, creative efforts by many artists, with the exception of woodblock prints, were unsigned, yet were easily recognized by the public through a specific style and the artists’ unique personalities. As collectors we felt it was most important to represent all Traditional and Sosaku Kokeshi, whether or not the artist has been identified, their seal, or artistic signature translated, or a written account of this artist’s life. Each show the diversity of this cultural specialization and the creative work produced by this artist.

Collector's note – descriptive qualities, standard characteristics & ornamentation styles:

A rare, “one-off” creation from a virtually unknown and unpublished craftsperson. What is interesting is the unusual turning and surface ornamentation of this form. This 8-0” high figure of a young girl is wearing a “mino”, (snow coat), that is covered with a floral textural motif on the surface and unusual lacquerwork defining the coat and undergarment, which is simply striped in red and green with the natural wood background. Only her face and expressive eyes are peeping out of her winter clothing. She is signed on the bottom but done in an artistic manner, only allowing the translation of the artist/maker’s name. We have never seen any other pieces by this artist and believe that his artwork focuses on other media.

Artist's Signature: