Vintage Traditional Kijiyama Kokeshi by Kyutaro, Ogura
Dimensions: 10-0” h
This doll is unique in its overall design and motif and became the most representative doll of this strain. It has a shorter but elongated neck and head and is made of a single piece of wood. The expressive face and simple hairstyle give the Kijiyama kokeshi a more realistic appearance which is typical of this style. Her striped kimono with a stylized Chrysanthemum design and apron was created in the early 1950s. The doll is painted in black outline with red accents, celebrating the natural characteristics of the wood from which it was formed. The doll has a rich chestnut hue, which adds a warm and inviting aesthetic to the piece, and is finished in a clear lacquer. There is writing to the right of the artist's signature with the doll's identification. This doll was fully made by this artist as opposed to later versions that were simply painted by the artist and the doll itself was lathe-turned by a family member.
Mr. Ogura passed in 1998 at the age of 91. In his later years, the Ogura's family members would make the dolls and he would complete all the artwork on the body. He was a very famous and popular artist. His dolls are still very much collected and prized.
Vintage Condition: Excellent with no defects that affect the design, and retains the original craft/workmanship, commensurate with age. Any discoloration, chipping/cracking, surface wear, or structural damage is noted.
Japanese Traditional Kokeshi
Kijiyama-Kei (Family)
Prefecture: Akita
Origin:
One of the most readily recognizable 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 months. 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 on the faces of Kiiyama kokeshi reflects the lonesome past of their birthplace.
Collector's note – characteristics / painting style:
Despite the slightly sad look some of these kokeshi have, they are very appealing and sought after for their well-defined style. Their elongated “inverted egg” shaped head is attached to a relatively chunky body, both of which are well proportioned. They typically have a red hair ribbon-like motif, but some can be without any hair ribbon (Okappa style), with a “bobbed” hairstyle and half or full moon bangs across the forehead. The eyes can be shut or partially closed (tsubushi-me), or fully opened, and may or may not have eyebrows. Their nose shapes are typically rounded, with small single or double-line lips. The most common motif on the body incorporates chrysanthemums, which were common in the earlier versions. Plum blossoms are seen on those dolls, which are closely associated with the Ogura family. The body usually possesses a kimono-like painted design in several distinctive patterns, suggesting an apron (maedare), over the kimono, which was incorporated later in the doll's development. Additionally, a striped overall patterned kimono-clad is seen as an alternative to the apron. Some have what is called a Kasuri pattern using a kanji symbol. Most Kijiyama dolls demonstrate the same state of being within this style of Kokeshi.
Leading Craftsmen:
Abe, Heishiro, 1929-2013, (Inagawa, Akita) - Master: Takahashi, Heijiro. No additional published information
Abe, Yoko, 1932, (Yuzaya, Akita) - Master: Abe, Heishiro. No additional published information
Honma, Isao, 1935. The third son of Shimazo and Rio Honma is a schoolteacher in Tsubakigawa, Higashinaruse Village, Ogachi District, and Akita Prefecture. His family owned forestland, so he loved woodworking from elementary school, making wooden carvings including Kokeshi, bears, and furniture. No additional published information.
Igawa, Takemitsu, 1925-2008, (Inagawa Akita) - Master: Ozeki, Kyutaro. No additional published information.
Kitayama, Kenichi - No additional published information
Koyasu, Ichigoro - No additional published information
Onodera, Masanori, 1948-2018. Kijiyama lineage, Master: Tokuichi Onodera. The eldest son of Onodera Tokuichi in Odate, Kawatsuraya, Akita Prefecture. The Onodera family had been lacquer artists in Kawatsuraya for generations. It is said that Fujimi (childhood name Umetaro), who was a lacquer artist, innovated the painting and decorating Kokeshi dolls and started the painting method of apron. After graduating from the Yuzawa Kita branch school, Masanori worked as a lacquer artist for two years and then studied woodworking for one year. He learned lathe working from his father Tokuichi. No additional published information.
Ogura, Kyutaro, 1906-1998, Grand Master (Minase, Akita) - Master: Ogura, Kyushiro. No additional published information
Ogura, Tomezo, 1909, (Inagawa, Akita) - Master Ogura, Kyushiro. No additional published information
Onodera, Juichi, 1908, (Inagawa, Akita) - Master Ogura, Keitaro. No additional published information
Sato, Hideichi, 1927, (Inagawa, Akta), Master Sato, Kaneichi. No additional published information
Shibata, Ryoji, 1944, (Inagawa, Akita)) - Master Shibata, Tetsuzo. The second son of Keijiro Ogura and Mura in Yafumae, Odate, Kawatsurē Village, Akita Prefecture, and in 1958, at the age of 15, he made a Kijiyama doll which influenced his lifetime profession throughout his life. No additional published information is available.
Suzuki, Koutaro, 1922-1989, (Inagawa, Akita) - Master Takahashi, Heijiro. No other published information.
Takahashi, Yuji, 1934 - No additional published information.
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