"O sage | Pigtails"
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.
Return Policy
Our antique/vintage pieces are identified/described and professionally photographed, and considered, “as is”, therefore all sales are final. Read our full refund and return policy.
Artisan | Woodworker: Ishihara, Hideo | 1925 - 1999
Origin:
Ishihara-san, born in Tokyo in 1925 was a highly influential Sosaku Kokeshi artist and began his career by making Traditional Narugo dolls in 1957. His grandfather was the famous artist Onuma Iwatao, of Narugo Onsen, Miyagi, and creator of the "Naruko Kokeshi". After graduating from University, Ishihara-san was under medical care for more than ten years, during which time he studied painting. Upon recovering from his illness, he began making Sosaku Kokeshi, and in a ten-year period (1959-1969), he received more than sixty awards, including the highest honor, the Prime Minister’s Award. He was introduced to the twenty-three countries in Europe and America by NHK. He has sponsored 30 exhibitions in Japan including those at Matsuzakaya Nagoya and Ginza, and four exhibitions in overseas countries. He was one of the founders of the Nippon Kokeshi Artistic Handicraft Association.
Collector's note – descriptive qualities, standard characteristics & ornamentation styles:
Ishihara-san’s dolls are based on many motifs found in nature and textile design. He loves portraying both young and old characters with differing hairstyles, (traditional and 1950s era). He illustrates numerous kimono styles in both painted form and carving and utilizes simple graphic treatment to emphasize the strong character of his dolls, which bring out the true nature of the wood materials through manipulation of the turned and carved wood. His dolls are always finished in a simple wax coating. It is also not unusual to see him utilize sumi-e’ drawing of faces that have both the ‘one-stroke eye’, (Hitofude-me), as well as a variation of traditional doll eye treatments.
Artist's signature:
