Japanese Traditional Kokeshi | Yajirou-Kei (Family)

Japanese Traditional Kokeshi | Yajirou-Kei (Family)

Prefecture: Miyagi

Origin:

The creators of these dolls hail from the small farming village of Yajirou-machi near Kamasaki Onsen in Miyagi Prefecture, once a farming village between two, tall mountains. The kiji-shi (woodworkers), divided their time between farming and wood-craft. Those who made kokeshi in their spare time sent their wives to the nearby Kamasaki Onsen to sell their work to tourist shops and through onsens.

Collector's note – characteristics/painting style:

The majority of this style has distinct waists and wider bases, making them very stable. Yajirou dolls are some of the most brightly painted of the traditional family set. Utilizing a veritable rainbow of colours, from the usual red and black to green, yellow, and even blue and purple, they are available in probably the widest range of shapes. The upper body usually has a hand-painted collar with horizontal stripes encircling the body, as in the Rokoru moyo style, and vertical stripes running below the waist to the base of the doll. However, Yajirou dolls can also be found with a series of chrysanthemum petals running down the front of the body, or a branch of plum blossoms as the only decoration. Some, also have a painted beret-like feature or a bun on their heads, similarly painted with a red center spot. Less common are Yajirou that have conical hats known as Suge-Gasa. Typically seen is one lid or double eyelids, cat or pick shaped nose. Yajirou kokeshi have been made from cherry wood, camellia, and maple, but the preferred wood is white dogwood, (mazuki).

NOTE: Both Yajirou ad Togutta dolls are sometimes created with loose rings circling the waists. Literally carved from the same wood as the body, a very meticulous method! This treatment is referred to as 'Yamiyo' style kokeshi. It is also seen on Tsuchiyu dolls, though very rarely.

Notable artists:

Satou Denki, b. 1909
Satou Dennai, Master
Ishikawa Tokujiro, b. 1915
Niiyama Fukutaro, Master
Sato Tatsuro, b. 1928
Sato Imasaburo, Master
Hamatsu Heizaburo, b. 1933
Niiyama Sanai, MasterYajirou
Niiyama Yoshinori, b. 1960
Niiyama Yoshitaro, Grand Master

 

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31 products

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Vintage Japanese “Sleeping” Yajirou Ejiko by Kouichi Sato (1936-)Vintage Japanese “Sleeping” Yajirou Ejiko by Kouichi Sato (1936-)
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Vintage Japanese Yajirou Container with Lid / Spinning Tops by Kamata, Bunichi (1900)Vintage Japanese Yajirou Container with Lid / Spinning Tops by Kamata, Bunichi (1900)
Vintage Yajirou Traditional Kokeshi by Niiyama FukuoVintage Yajirou Traditional Kokeshi by Niiyama Fukuo
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Vintage Japanese Yajirou Toy Train by Kamata TakashiVintage Japanese Yajirou Toy Train by Kamata Takashi
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Vintage Traditional Yajirou JIngasa Kokeshi by Hoshi HiroakiVintage Traditional Yajirou JIngasa Kokeshi by Hoshi Hiroaki
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Traditional Vintage Yajirou Traditional  Kokeshi by Niiyama, KeishiTraditional Vintage Yajirou Traditional  Kokeshi by Niiyama, Keishi
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Vintage Traditional Yajirou Kokeshi by Endo TsutumoVintage Traditional Yajirou Kokeshi by Endo Tsutumo
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Vintage Traditional Yajirou Kokeshi by Niiyama, FukuoVintage Traditional Yajirou Kokeshi by Niiyama, Fukuo
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Japanese Traditional Kokeshi | Yajirou-Kei (Family) Doll by Yoshihiro SatoJapanese Traditional Kokeshi | Yajirou-Kei (Family) Doll by Yoshihiro Sato
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Japanese Traditional Kokeshi | Yajirou-Kei (Family) Doll by Niiyama, FukuoJapanese Traditional Kokeshi | Yajirou-Kei (Family) Doll by Niiyama, Fukuo
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Japanese Traditional Kokeshi | Rare Yajirou-Kei (Family) Doll by Hamatsu HeizaburoJapanese Traditional Kokeshi | Rare Yajirou-Kei (Family) Doll by Hamatsu Heizaburo
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Japanese Traditional Yajiro Kokeshi by Sato, SeikouJapanese Traditional Yajiro Kokeshi by Sato, Seikou
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Vintage Yajirou Traditional Kokeshi by Sato, KoichiVintage Yajirou Traditional Kokeshi by Sato, Koichi
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Vintage Yajirou Traditional Kokeshi by Seishi, TakahashiVintage Yajirou Traditional Kokeshi by Seishi, Takahashi
Vintage traditional Yajirou “Ejiko” by Minoru NiiyamaVintage traditional Yajirou “Ejiko” by Minoru Niiyama
Vintage RARE Yajirou-kei “Ejiko” Mother and Child by Shoki Suzuki (b 1927-)Vintage RARE Yajirou-kei “Ejiko” Mother and Child by Shoki Suzuki (b 1927-)
Vintage Japanese Kokeshi Kendama Toy with Yajirou-kei Head by Mamoru, Fumio, Tsuta FamilyVintage Japanese Kokeshi Kendama Toy with Yajirou-kei Head by Mamoru, Fumio, Tsuta Family
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Vintage Japanese Koma Tower of Tops with Yajiro-kei Kokeshi Head by Ooizumi, Kiyomi (1936-1980)Vintage Japanese Koma Tower of Tops with Yajiro-kei Kokeshi Head by Ooizumi, Kiyomi (1936-1980)
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Rare Vintage Japanese  Yajirou Kokeshi Personal Seal (Hanko) by Takashi KamataRare Vintage Japanese  Yajirou Kokeshi Personal Seal (Hanko) by Takashi Kamata
Unusual Japanese ‘Rattler’ Yajirou Kokeshi by Niiyama, Keimi (b.1925)Unusual Japanese ‘Rattler’ Yajirou Kokeshi by Niiyama, Keimi (b.1925)
Vintage Traditional Yajirou Kokeshi by Endo TsutumoVintage Traditional Yajirou Kokeshi by Endo Tsutumo
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Vintage Traditional Yajirou Kokeshi by Endo TsutumoVintage Traditional Yajirou Kokeshi by Endo Tsutumo
Vintage Japanese Wooden Yajirou Toy Train by Niiyama, Tamio | KijiganguVintage Japanese Wooden Yajirou Toy Train by Niiyama, Tamio | Kijigangu
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Vintage Japanese Wooden Yajirou Acrobat Toy | Rare Tsuta Family Kijigangu Articulated ToyVintage Japanese Wooden Yajirou Acrobat Toy | Rare Tsuta Family Kijigangu Articulated Toy