Japanese Traditional Kokeshi | Yajirou-Kei (Family) Doll by Niiyama, Fukuo
Dimensions: 15-3/4”h
What an exceptional find in museum quality condition. This Kokeshi was crafted and painted by Hisashi Niiyama who was born i n 1915 and apprenticed under his father Kyuji Niiyama and followed in his tradition of turning Yajirou dolls.
As common with this style of Kokeshi it has a distinctly narrow waist line and wider bases. This Yajirou utilizes a veritable rainbow of colors, from the usual red, purple, blue and green, and in a very unusual undulating form. The upper body has a hand-painted collar with horizontal stripes encircling the neck and body with simple brush stokes in green on the bodice. These Rokoru moyo style horizontal red stripes continue below the waist, terminating at the base with red vertical line work. The top of the head shows red, purple rings with a green center spot on the top of the skull with painted beret-like feature with side hair fringes framing the face. The face is detailed with expressive one lid or double eyelids, cat nose and red lips. The doll is lathe-turned from one piece of cherry wood. The piece is signed on the bottom in script by the artist.
Condition: Excellent and commensurate with age with no fading of the painted motif. Wonderful workmanship, turning and painted features. Fine example of the Yajirou-kei Family of Kokeshi.
Japanese Traditional Kokeshi
Yajirou-Kei (Family)
Prefecture: Miyagi
Origin:
This strain of Kokeshi is said to have been an offshoot of the Tougatta strain and is far less refined. That eventually developed into a unique style that remains today. 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 woodcraft. Those who made kokeshi in their spare time sent their wives to the nearby Kamasaki Onsen to sell their work to tourist shops and onsens.
Collector's note – characteristics/painting style:
The majority of this style has distinct waists, or (kubire), where the body tapers inward, with a wider, flared base similar to a kimono, thus making them very stable. 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. Yajirou dolls are some of the most brightly painted of the traditional family group. 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. 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 who have conical hats known as Suge-Gasa. Typically seen is one lid or double eyelids and a cat or pick-shaped nose. Yajirou kokeshi have been made from cherry wood, camellia, and maple, but the preferred wood is white dogwood, (Mizuki). And finally, both Yajirou and Tougutta dolls are sometimes created with loose rings circling the waists. Carved from the same wood as the body, which is a very meticulous method! This treatment is referred to as 'Yamiyo' style kokeshi.
Leading, Craftsmen:
Niiyama, Keimi, 1925, (Shirabu, Yamagata) - Master Niiyama, Keimi. No additional published information
Niiyama, Fukutaro, 1898-1965 - No additional published information
Niiyama Fukuo, 1922, (Yajiro Shironishi, Miyagi) - Master: Niiyama, Fukutaro. No additional published information
Niiyama, Hisaharu, 1942-2008 - No additional published information
Niiyama, Sanai (Master) - No additional published information
Oizumi, Kiyoni - No additional published information
Saito Masao, 1932, (Shiroishi, Miyagi) - Master: Sato, Tsugio. No additional published information
Sato Tatsuo, 1928-2009, (Yajiro Shiroishi , Miyagi) - Master: Sato, Imasaburo. No additional published information
Sato Yoshiaki, 1936, (Shiroishi Miyagi) - Master: Sato, Tatsuo. No additional published information
Sato, Koichi, 1936, (Shiroishi, Miyagi) - Master:Hamatsu, Heisaburo. No additional published information
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