Artisan | Woodworker: Takahashi, Nagatoshi
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:
These two dolls represent a husband and wife from the cold climate of the northern island of Hokkaido. These unornamented dolls were made to appear as if they are tanned from the light reflection off the snow, and have a shiny finish, so that the observer could see himself/herself in the head of each doll.
On one doll the artist inscribed:
“Snowflakes are skyflowers,
pale blossoms from the clouds,
they tan our bodies,
and wither on earth.”
Artist's signature:
