Vintage Japanese Sosaku Kokeshi entitled: “Hatsu Hana | First Flower” by Watanabe, Masao | 1917-2007
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Dimensions: 14-1/4”h
Shown is a Kokeshi that illustrates an undulating lathe-turned feature from one piece of Birch (Kabonoki). It has an unusual neck and head treatment that compliment the curvatures of the body. The head has deep carving representing the bangs and hair framing the face. She has very expressive eyes and mouth. The artist incorporated one large large cherry blossom deeply carved into the body and emphasized the motif with a pink pigment focusing on this enduring metaphor for the ephemeral nature of life. Inscribed on the bottom of each doll is Watanabe-san’s name and title of the doll.
Condition: Excellent vintage condition and commensurate with age. There is no loss or fading of artwork/details. After the turning, carving, and painting, the doll is lacquered and sealed with a natural candle wax, (Rosoku no ro). A perfect doll for the collector of Watanabe’s work in the Japanese Kokeshi folk art genre.
NOTE: Watanabe was a master craftsman and teacher to his son Yuki and grandson Kunihiko. We further understand this is one of a series of dolls that have different colored Cherry Blossoms, (Light Pink, Deep Pinkish Red, and White) as the central motif for which varieties are known to change color while they are in bloom.
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Artisan | Woodworker: Watanabe, Masao | 1917-2007
Origin:
Masao Watanabe | 1917-2007 (89)
Born in Fukushima, Watanabe-san studied under Traditional Yajirou Master Sato, Tatsuo of Miyagi Prefecture. Arguably, the most popular and prolific of the 20th/c Sosaku Kokeshi artists, he began his craft in the early 1950s. His most famous Kokeshi themes are that of ‘innocence’ (Mushin), and his doll entitled: Chigo Zakura (Cherry Blossom Child). A multiple award winner in Kokeshi competitions around the world (Prime Minister's prizes for the works of "Chigozskura" in 1963 and "Shojo" in 1981), along with numerous prizes by the Modern Kokeshi Artist Association and JETRO. He held two exhibitions in Japan and was exempt from the examination of the All Japan Kokeshi Contest, a Member of the Nippon Kokeshi Artistic Handicraft Association. His works are permanently exhibited at the Nuremberg Toy Museum in Germany.
Collector's note – descriptive qualities, standard characteristics & ornamentation styles:
Of all the Kokeshi produced by Masao Watanabe, his doll entitled, Mushin, (Innocence), is the most representative of this artist’s work. The emphasis is on the color of the natural wood and texture, and the form of this piece is the most recognizable of all of his dolls. The representation of clothing, complemented by the natural graining of the wood, and the painting of the sash, is common for this particular series. The natural wood implies the kimono or yukata with Its smooth curves brought about through the use of the lathe. Some painted and raised forms to resemble Shibori, a type of tie-dyeing that give texture to the garment. He also prominently features the rose and camellia as a central motif. His most famous piece above, is entitled, ‘Chigo Zakura’, (Cherry Blossom Child), which won the Prime Minister’s Award, and was presented to the Beatles in 1965, after their appearance in Japan with Sir Joseph Lockwood, Chairman of EMI Record Distributors, England.
Artist's Signature:
