"O sage | Pigtails"

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Dimensions: 13-1/2" h

This is a rare, early doll, wonderfully expressive which celebrates youth and depicting a girl with pigtails. Her Kimono has an overall motif in red, grey and black representing the sunset. Ishihara’s “pigtail” series began early in his Sosaku career when he did a series of Kokeshi with this theme, all published in a small out of print exhibition catalog, (1960s), and published by the Japan Society of New York in cooperation wit JETRO, the Japan External Trade Organization. The piece is unsigned and was created prior to Ishihara becoming established as a Sosaku artist. 

Vintage Condition: Good considering its age and rarity, “as is” with the body showing surface wear and slight discoloration, two splits in the wood, (see images with this listing), with no structural damage shown. The piece was gently repaired because of its rarity and interest in preserving a notable creation, and retains the original craft/workmanship. If you are a collector of Ishihara you will be interested in this piece, from the beginning of his Sosaku production, to round out a collection of his unique dolls.