Japanese Sosaku Kokeshi Container by USABURO, Okamoto
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Dimensions: 9-0”h
This Kokeshi container is wonderfully handcrafted with the head being a separate element and expressively detailed eyes and suggested hair treatment with the traditional top knot. The body of the doll is carved from a solid piece of paulownia wood with a clear lacquer with plum blossoms in white and red. It has been hollowed out to provide storage for personal items and a wonderfully proportioned Kokeshi. The handicrafts studied the inner workings of the different tree species. The woods used for the Kokeshi are carefully selected and combined. The feel that is created by the fine workmanship is impressive. The base container is signed in white ink by Osaburo.
Kokeshi made by Usaburo are of particularly high-quality fore which the family business was founded by Usaburo, Okamoto, born in Shinto in 1917 and passed on in 2009 at the age of 91. The manufactory is characterized by its special passion and high level of both handcrafted and machine-crafted production. The founder Usaburo, Okamoto has already won many prizes for his work. His employees and some family members are also proud winners of prizes for their work. The love for their homeland is, as he said, the source from which they draw their creativity and continually learn from innovation.
Condition: The head has two surface imperfections, (one pin whole and a spot with missing lacquer and from the effects of aging but does not take away from its display-ability or value.
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Artisan | Woodworker: Okamoto, Usaburo | 1917-2009
Biographical History:
Okamoto-san was born in Shinto Village, Gunma Prefecture in 1917. Usaburo was the patriarch of the most prolific family of Modern Kokeshi doll manufacturing and began creating Sosaku dolls in 1950. He developed a technique of carving and baking to prevent wood from cracking and established the prototype for the Usaburo Kokeshi doll's introduction into the Kokeshi world. Winner of many awards, including the Prime Minister’s Award, his early dolls were mostly hand-carved/painted on the wheel and one which was cherished was his Kokeshi Container for personal items in which the head being a separate element formed the top of the cylindrical container. His masterpiece, “Kantsubaki (Camellia in the Winter)”, featured his favorite camellia flower on a beautiful zelkova for the bodies and Mizuki which was purchased by Emperor Showa. He established a museum in Gunma and passed away at the age of 91, and his sons, daughters, and extended family have currently been creating what is called “character” dolls, souvenirs decorations, and children’s toys.
Collector's note – descriptive qualities, standard characteristics & ornamentation styles:
Some of Okamoto’s lathe-turned dolls typically incorporate ribbing of the natural wood to give depth and textural quality. Many doll heads are traditional in appearance and painterly in execution. He is also known to twist the form of the body for interest. He incorporates many seasonal motifs such as cherry blossoms, falling leaves, wheat, persimmons, and the crane and dragonfly, (tonbo).