Vintage Sosaku Kokeshi entitled: “Hi no hikari | Light of Fire” by Shido, Shouzan
Dimensions: 19-1/4”h
Shouzan is considered by Kokeshi collectors and critics alike to be arguably the most influential artist in the world of Sosaku Kokeshi doll making. Offered is a vintage Sosaku Kokeshi that represents noble women with Heian hair treatments, topped with the ‘mage’ showing the wrapping of hair, which is formed into a pleasing design. Her head and face incorporate narrow eyes, a thin nose, and tiny red lips. The painted elements of the face are executed in black and gray sumi-e.
His keen sense of design, minimal use of color, and simple elegant shapes set him apart from his peers, making him one of the most collectible artists emerging from the creative period of the ‘60s. He is a winner of the Prime Minister’s Award, among many other awards.
The doll is made from one piece of Beech, (Buna-zai) wood leaving a simple lathe-turned form representing the body and Kimono differentiating the parts of the figures. The shoulders are rounded and give a soft-looking transition between the body and head. What is interesting is Shouzan’s treatment of the Obi which is accomplished through what is called ‘Rokuro Moyo’ line work in brown pigment. The doll is signed and titled in script on the back by the artist.
Condition: Excellent condition pristine and unaltered with no missing elements, no color loss, and is in exceptional condition. A beautiful old patinated finish, retaining the original craftsmanship. Meets the standards of the collector of the Japanese folk art genre.
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Artisan | Woodworker: Shido, Shouzan | 1932-1995
Origin:
Shido-san is considered by Kokeshi collectors and critics alike to be arguably the most influential artist in the world of Sosaku Kokeshi doll making. Shido-san’s main focus was depicting unadorned Northern girls in the traditional “Mino”, or Snow Coat, but he also produced tall, thin dolls, which were sparsely decorated. His keen sense of design, minimal use of color, and simple elegant shapes set him apart from his peers, making him one of the most collectible artists emerging from the creative period of the ‘60s. He is a winner of the Prime Minister’s Award, among many other awards.
Collector's note – descriptive qualities, standard characteristics & ornamentation styles:
Shido-san loved studying the use of combining different types of wood to gain the desired effect and to give dimension to his pieces. He also enjoyed creating slender, tall dolls to support the fact that they resemble the tall, thin trees seen throughout Japan. He incorporated a repetitive textural pattern called ‘Harmonic Chatter work’ to enhance the natural qualities of the wood on many of his works.
Shido-san particularly enjoyed the textural qualities of ‘Chattering’ on the rain/snow coat, (Minomushi), which is a favorite theme, executed with minimal painted ornamentation, with an emphasis on the natural wood. In general, it is said the Japanese culture is one of modesty and humility. Occasionally we see different types of headdress, one of which he called a ‘Tsunokakushi’, which is a wide headresses or hood, which covered elaborate hairstyles. We are told that the Japanese people regulate their behavior and response by reading faces and the eyes of others. Here, as well as elsewhere, you will see many examples of different characteristics of the eye is expressions. His most famous doll was called “mai”, a dancer, which was an elegant and slender doll created in 1970. This doll exhibited traditional hair design with an emphasis on a brightly colored “obi” which brings forth the best use of complex geometry to create traditional Japanese clothing elements.
Shido-san was a prolific artist/woodworker of Kokeshi dolls. We additionally see unusual subjects focused on Zen Buddhism and figures of Daruma, (Bodhidharma) of which most were made in a “roly-poly” type figure seen throughout festivals in Japan.
Artist's Signature:
