Sosaku Kokeshi entitled: Usugori, (Chilly Morning) by Takahashi, Hajime
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Dimensions: 6-0”h
There are two unusual qualities about this lovely depiction of a child ready for a cold winter day. Its head is a separate element at the top of the doll form, with a suggestion of the eyes, dot nose, and a wisp of bangs peeping out from under the headpiece. The second unusual element is the headscarf totally covering the head with a beautifully detailed vermillion, (red) textile, which continues to drape down the front of its body. As shown here, Takahashi-san has an unusual way to illustrate clothing elements in a very painterly way for he stresses a textile motif in black with fringes at the end of the scarf. The partially shown face and body are left natural and finished with uncolored candle wax, (Rōsoku no rō). The piece has Takahashi’s hand signature in ink on the bottom.
Condition: Beautiful excellent condition with no fading or discoloration.
NOTE: Originally a fine arts painter, Takahashi, Hajime, (1918-2002) is from Sendai, (where Traditional Kokeshi were born), in Miyagi Prefecture. His artistic background also includes time spent as a craftsman of Yuzen silk kimono dying which is always an important feature of his dolls. He is a multiple award winner in yearly Kokeshi competitions, receiving the Prime Minister’s Award, the highest honor bestowed on Sosaku Kokeshi artists. All of his work is easily recognized by the painterly designs decorating his dolls. Now deceased, his son, Akinori is carrying on the family’s tradition, but in limited production.
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Artisan | Woodworker: Takahashi, Hajime | 1918-2002
Biographical History:
Takahashi Hajime was originally a fine artist/painter. He is known for his colorful designs and the use of brush strokes. Takahashi-san is from Sendai, (where Traditional Kokeshi were born), in Miyagi Prefecture. His artistic background also includes time spent as a craftsman of Yuzen silk kimono dying which is why Kimono is a focus on all of his dolls. He is a multiple award winner in yearly Kokeshi competitions, receiving the Prime Minister’s Award, the highest honor bestowed on Sosaku Kokeshi artists. All of his work is easily recognized producing unique forms and details. Now deceased, his son, Akinori is carrying on the family’s tradition, but in limited production.
Collector's note – descriptive qualities, standard characteristics & ornamentation styles:
The most unusual quality of his dolls is that their heads are treated as a separate element which in many cases are a simple tapered element between the head and the body of the doll. The artist motif‘s range from realistic seasonal flowers such as abstract Plum flowers, (Ume), Cherry blossoms, (Sakura), and Japanese Iris, (Ayame), or celebrating zodiac figures representing one of twelve specific constellations of the zodiac, which over time took on diverse meanings. Takahashi-san has a beautiful pictorial approach to illustrating kimono in a very refined painterly way. He shows both painted and carved Kimono, Obi with exaggerated waists and supportive under and over garments such as scarves and sashes. His use of Rokuro Moyo is occasionally seen in carved and painted forms. Last but not least, are the detailing of faces, all having expressive eyes, small dot noses and wisps of hair. His use of Rokuro Moyo is occasionally seen in both carved and painted forms.