Vintage Sosaku Kokeshi entitled: “Akikaze | Autumn Wind” by Sato, Suigai (1920-)

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Dimensions: 12-1/4”h

This beautiful Kokeshi exhibits both traditional elements such as the line work defining the peaceful female face and the hairstyle. Contemporary elements such as the handling of the wheat motif is found on many of Sato- san’s dolls. 

This design is framed with black lines, (Rokuro Moyo), on darker, stained ash to define the decorative Obi. He utilizes an uncolored, natural ash wood, (Kaibin) with refined lathe turning to define the various elements of the head, the top of the Kimono, and the three sections of the body, all made from the same piece of wood. Sato-san created a simple and wonderful form that defines this three-dimensional figure and employs color only to define the textured hair, her small lips, and the Obi, allowing each element to add a decorative component to the overall figure. 

The bottom of the doll shows the remnants of a faded red stamp, which was regularly used to identify the artist with the notation “Kokeshi ni Japan”, in graphite. (The impression below the motif on the Obi, most likely represents the original standard impression found on his dolls).