Vintage Traditional Tsuchiyu Kokeshi by Watanabe, Tetsuo
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Dimensions: 9-1/2” h
This unusual and very rare variation of the Traditional Tsuchiyu Kokeshi by Watanabe-san, (born 1937-), is from the Fukushima prefecture. There are several very unique features of this doll, beginning with a complicated bulbous body form incorporating “chattering’ on the top of the jacket and base of the figure. Additionally, the carver has incorporated a meticulous treatment of three loose wood rings carved from the same wood as the body and circles the lower portion of the waist. This treatment is referred to as “Yamiyo”, which adds a toy-like element to the form. The second most unique element is a large conical hat known as Sugegasa, an accessory almost forgotten in history. Only on traditional occasions, people are still wearing this Japanese traditional hat. As seen in this Kokeshi, the hat represents a very wide-brimmed style, having concentric circles in red, purple, and green on the top, called Janome, which mimicked lacquered umbrellas, (Kasa). The center of the hat exemplifies the use of “chattering that has a red top knot to finish off this element. The face is framed with black bangs and side hair fringe with red bows and has eyes called Fatae-Mabuta (double lid), a nose called Tare-Bata (long nose), and a simple indication of a mouth with red lips. The piece has its name and is signed by the artist on the bottom of the figure.
For further information see our section entitled “Browse by Family”, Japanese Traditional Kokeshi | Tsuchiyu-Kei (Family).
Condition: Excellent and beautiful condition affording the doll age-old elegance. Retains the original craft/workmanship showing a wonderfully-developed patina commensurate with age and unrestored. The piece meets all the standards of Traditional Kokeshi collectibles and is an exceptional piece for collectors of Tsuchiyu Family dolls.
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Japanese Traditional Kokeshi | Tsuchiyu-Kei (Family)
Prefecture: Fukushima
Origin:
Tsuchiyu Family dolls originated in the 1840s at Tsuchiyu Onsen in Fukushima Prefecture, with the work of Sakuma Kamegoro, a kiji-shi who had made various wood items for visitors to the Tsuchiyu Onsen.
Collector's note – characteristics/painting style:
These dolls come in two types: one with a slightly cone-shaped body widening towards the base; and one with a columnar body, tapering where the neck would be. The latter style is also known as the Rokuro Moyo style of circular painting. Artists of this type are famous for being the most accomplished in the circular style of painting, as they take it several steps further by either reversing the line at some point or by zig-zagging the lines periodically. Both add a dynamic element to the dolls.
The design of black, (occasionally purple or green), concentric circles on the top of the head are called Janome. Together with a red bow and a loop on the head, (kase), is one major characteristic of the Tsuchiyu Kokeshi. The innermost circle of the head is usually colorless. The patterns of the body used to be simple black lines but the lines are drawn in different colors in later models. Some dolls even have patterns of flowers between the lines. Most have eyes called futae-mabuta, (double lid), and noses called marubana, (round nose), and tare-bana, (long nose). A few dolls have consciously large eyes and noses with blushes around the eyes, similar to the Nakanosawa group).
The Tsuchiyu kiji-ya utilized snap-on and squeeze-in techniques for attaching the heads, which are then painted with a Janome pattern, leaving the center open. This is known as the ‘snake eye design and is also commonly seen on the tops of the paper and lacquered umbrellas, (Kasa).
Notable artists:
Saito Chushichi, b. 1917
Saito Sashima, Master
Shinogi, Toshio, b. 1931
Obata Toshio, b. 1932
Obata Fukumatsu, Master
Jinohara Kouki, b. 1957
Jinohara Kazunori, b.1929
Saito Hiromichi, Master
Kamegoro Sakuma, Grand Master