Antique Japanese Kijiyama Transitional Kokeshi by Yoshashi Takani
Dimensions: 14-0”h
Yoshashi-san was born in 1907 in Niigata Prefecture. He studied Japanese painting after the war and initially was a Kimono yuzen artist focused on the rare “teak yuen” involving approximately twenty processes including conceptualizing the design and creating detailed colored drawings as the central motif. He later decided to produce a Yohachi doll (Kokeshi) incorporating the yuzen technology in the town of Kawazure which was originally established in the 17th century during the Edo period. He passed away in 1994 in Saitama City (former Urawa).
The majority of his dolls focused on Kimono art and cherished Yuzen resist dyeing incorporated into textile art which utilized a dyeing technique characterized by beautiful designs featuring subjects from nature, including flowers and mountains, as well as animal and human figures. As with the figure offered his representation of this form of freehand drawing and painting. Very little is known about this artist although he accomplished several beautiful painted dolls during his lifetime. His work broke from the traditional Kijiyama motif and became renowned for its distinct and vivid colors.
Condition: Excellent and has retained the original craft/workmanship.
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Japanese Traditional Kokeshi | Kijiyama-Kei (Family)
Prefecture: Akita
Origin:
One of the most readily recognizable of the traditional dolls is the Kijiyama type, from the region of the same name in the Akita Prefecture. The name is derived from the wood craftsmen (Kiji-ya), who live in the remote mountains of the Tohoku region. The actual location of Kijiyama is so remote that it was inaccessible in the harsh winter mounts. Many of the kokeshi makers left and settled in the less remote areas of Kawazura, now part of Inagawa-machi. some suggest that the dignified, lonely look of the faces of Kiiyama kokeshi reflects the lonesome past of their birthplace.
Collector's note – characteristics / painting style:
In spite of the slightly sad look, some of these kokeshi have, they are very appealing and sought after for their well-defined style. they wear kimono in several distinctive patterns and are one of the less common strains found. Most Kijiyama have a one-piece body with high shoulders, and while originally chrysanthemums were common on the earlier versions, which were of two-piece construction, the body now possesses a kimono-like painted design, with an apron (maedare), over the kimono. Kijiyama heads looks like an inverted egg, some with a red bow on top. Incorporating Plum Blossoms are closely associated with the Ogura family.
Notable Artists:
Ogura Shougo, b. 1934
Ogura Kiyushiro, Master
Ogura Masaharu, Master.
Ogura, Kyutaro, b. 1906, Grand Master
Note: Others involved in the making of the Kijiyama doll are the Takahashi and Abe families.