Vintage Sosaku Kokeshi entitled: “Tsuki | Moon” by by Kato, Hiroshi
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Dimensions: 15-1/2”h
This tall and slender figure is another example of a very traditional woman in Japan. Her head is topped with an exaggerated carved ‘Mage’ type hairstyle. The sumi-e’ brushwork defining her face and garment suggests features with well-stylized details relating to the general design of the garment. She has a black and gold patterned sash which indicates that she is wearing a Yukata, (yukata being an unlined cotton summer garment, worn in casual settings such as summer festivals). The doll is made of unfinished, natural Beech (Bichi). The piece is signed by the artist.
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Artisan | Woodworker: Kato, Hiroshi | Active only in the 1960s
[no-bio]Collector's note – descriptive qualities, standard characteristics & ornamentation styles:
Kato-san’s slender and tall figures bring memories of very traditional women in Japan. In his dolls we observe a rather contemporary approach to the ‘Mage” hair design in both form and sumi-e’ brushwork, suggesting features as well as stylistic details relating to the general design of the Kimono and the black and gold obi. His faces are extremely expressive, with a partial covering of the face and tilted heads adding an unusual aspect to one series of dolls. Typical are the scenes from nature, (flowers, mountains).
Hiroshi's stylized versions of Heian noblewomen, from families of high rank, were one of his favorite subjects. Women enjoyed a certain aspect of freedom during the period and were well educated in music, poetry, art, fashion, and calligraphy, all part of a Heian Period woman's education.
Many of these women traveled incognito, (Oshinobi Dochi), and Hiroshi's creative dolls of the subject are extremely rare. He beautifully details their elongated faces and long hair which were common for ladies of this period, and they are typically wearing attire for travel: oversized hat and a heavy coat to ward off the chill.
Artist's Signature:
