Vintage Sosaku Kokeshi Dolls

 Overview

The Kokeshi-kojin is a craftsperson who creates figures from beginning to end, and Kokeshi collectors are drawn to the aesthetic beauty and simplicity in the form of these spirit-infused, lathe-turned dolls. Created as toys for children, and souvenirs for the Japanese traveler, Kokeshi represent different aspects of daily life in Japanese society. Creative Kokeshi emerged in the early 1940s, flourished from the 1950s through the 1970s, and continues, even today.

Sosaku Kokeshi, from its onset, avoided the regimented artistic motif of the Traditional family of dolls, moving to a more abstract, free-form graphic. This added breadth and depth to the diversity of this style of doll. Inspired by the changing seasons, Japanese textile artists experimented with a wide range of graphic designs, colors, materials, and construction techniques. It gave a basis for the creative Kokeshi artist to introduce his/her representation, recording history through the media of wood and its decoration. Indeed, this is because contemporary Kokeshi creations can continue to carry a basic theme, while fashion is continuously renewing to meet an ever-changing interest of society. Doll design and fashion share similar values in the Sosaku Movement, and are presented in different artistic forms and graphics, thus intimately linking the two artistic expressions. 

In this section, we feature a variety of dolls adorned with motifs that represent history, folk tales, abstract interpretations of fashion, nature, and everyday life. A provenance of the artist's work is included in the history of each doll under the artist's name found in the Browse by Artisan section, archived after the sale, for future research and reference. The collector of Sosaku Kokeshi will see in this broad representation of many Masters of Sosaku Kokeshi address both the front and the back of their dolls, which are decorated with a focus on both the coloration, graphic design, and construction, to identify this new style of textile art. 

Representations of classic clothing with graphic features may include Heian traditional garments including Juunihitoe, (layered robes) and Sokutai, (formal and round collared jackets). Men and women wearing the Traditional rice-straw and feather snow coat called “Mino” and Susanoo-no-Mikoto (God of storms and the sea), and finally, period hairstyles including unique ‘Mage” or ‘Bob’ on their heads.

On the body of Kimono, Fukusa, Haori, and Obi incorporating the following motifs became the focus, depending on the artist/carver’s message he/she was trying to share, as part of their wood creations. An important part of the Japanese heritage/culture: Four Seasons Motif: Clouds, (Kumo), Sun, (Taiyō), and Sunrise (Hinode), (cherished for long life & virtue); Chrysanthemum, (Kiku); Plum Blossom, (Ume); Cherry Blossom, (Sakura); Camellia Blossom, (Tsubaki);  Peony, (Botan); Red Roses, (Akaibara), Daisy (Deijī), and Iris, (Shobu). Images of Nature Motifs: Bamboo Culm and leaves; Pine Needles, Pine Cones, Forest, Seasonal Leaves; Grasses; Wheat; Paulownia leaves. Food-style motif: Eggplant, (Nasu); Bean, (Edamame). Animals and Sea Life Motif: Butterfly; Rare birds; Phoenix; Crane; Tonbo, (Dragon Fly); Macaque, (monkey), Dragon; ShiShi, (Lion Dog); Lobster; Koi, and finally, Animals of the Zodiac. Historical, Religious Figure Motif: Temples, the Torii Gate, Daruma, Okame, and Kannon. Everyday Objects and Toys Motif to four seasons: Sho-chiku-bai (three friends of winter), Coin-style motif, fans, and Koma, (spinning tops). Historical Landmarks motif: Waterfall, Streams, Waves; and Mt. Fuji. Abstract Graphic-style motif: geometric lozenge; diamond shapes; and stripes, (denoting a woman of high rank and wealth), Imperial Family Crest, and the Family (mon). Wood Motif: The type, color, and wood grain through textural-style motifs are substituted for painted graphic designs on many Kokeshi forms.

And finally, We need to address color as a foundational motif as many were used to form the base body color of the doll. Colors have distinctive meanings in Japan. Bright colors are used for spring; dark colors are used for winter and pastel colors are used for summer. For example: Blue, the ocean, sea life, and sky; Red, (Aka), wards off evil spirits; Pink: spring and youth; Purple: nobility; Yellow: harvest season.