Large, Vintage Sosaku Kokeshi entitled “Ume Goromo | Plum Kimono” by Takahashi, Hashime (1918-2002)
Dimensions: 24-0”h
Shown is an exceptionally tall and rare Kokeshi, which illustrates the artist’s educational foundation in painting from the Sōtatsu-Kōetsu School of Painting. This piece is formed on the lathe from one piece of Birch, (Kabanoki), wood in which the natural wood is only shown on the head, neck, and base of the doll. The unique formation of the head is what makes this piece rare, and to date, it has not been adopted by other carvers. The figure with an upturned face is detailed in black and grey sumi-e’ type rendering as if looking up to the trees dropping plum blossoms. The piece is beautifully ornamented with cream-colored plum blossoms with accented pistils and stamens, disbursed throughout the figure.
This is an unusually large Kokeshi, lacquered in deep burgundy, and constructed in two sections to give it its’ exceptional height and made from the same piece of wood. The artist has used plum flowers, (Ume), to ornament the Kimono, which is associated with the start of spring and the celebrated Plum Festival, (Ume Matsuri), throughout Japan. Her face looks to the sky and is simply detailed with sumi-e’ line work. There is no Obi, but the indentation where the two parts of the doll come together suggests one. The doll is made of Zelkova wood, (Elm), and signed on the bottom.
The piece was published in the 2022 publication of Sosaku Kokeshi: Celebrating the Major Artists of the Creative Movement. For more information on this artist go to the following link: https://mingeiarts.com/collections/artisan-woodworker-takahashi-hashime-1918-2002. Additionally, it was first published in Kokeshi Dolls and awarded first prize in an exhibition and a catalogue entitled: Kokeshi Dolls From Japan,(Printed by DOBI Printing Co., Ltd. Japan), citing 232 Kokeshi, with selected designer photography, for which the image of the piece was listed as #71 of the catalog with the artist/designer, name of the doll, (English and Japanese), and the size of the doll. A very rare historical documentation of the first Sosaku Kokeshi proudly recognized by the Japanese government.
Condition: Excellent, lathe-turned creation and size, for it is outstanding, impressive, and beautiful. No chips, cracks, breaks, missing pieces, or restoration; is very stable, and retains its original details and finish. The piece meets all the standards of the vintage collectible Sosaku Kokeshi by Takashina, Hashime.
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Artisan | Woodworker: Takahashi, Hashime | 1918-2002
Biographical History:
Takahashi Hashime was originally a fine artist/painter. He is known for his colorful designs and the use of brush strokes. Takahashi-san is from Sendai, (where Traditional Kokeshi were born), in Miyagi Prefecture. His artistic background also includes time spent as a craftsman of Yuzen silk kimono dying which is why Kimono is a focus on all of his dolls. He is a multiple award winner in yearly Kokeshi competitions, receiving the Prime Minister’s Award, the highest honor bestowed on Sosaku Kokeshi artists. All of his work is easily recognized producing unique forms and details. Now deceased, his son, Akinori is carrying on the family’s tradition, but in limited production.
Collector's note – descriptive qualities, standard characteristics & ornamentation styles:
The most unusual quality of his dolls is that their heads are treated as a separate element which in many cases are a simple tapered element between the head and the body of the doll. The artist motif‘s range from realistic seasonal flowers such as abstract Plum flowers, (Ume), Cherry blossoms, (Sakura), and Japanese Iris, (Ayame), or celebrating zodiac figures representing one of twelve specific constellations of the zodiac, which over time took on diverse meanings. Takahashi-san has a beautiful pictorial approach to illustrating kimono in a very refined painterly way. He shows both painted and carved Kimono, Obi with exaggerated waists and supportive under and over garments such as scarves and sashes. His use of Rokuro Moyo is occasionally seen in carved and painted forms. Last but not least, are the detailing of faces, all having expressive eyes, small dot noses and wisps of hair. His use of Rokuro Moyo is occasionally seen in both carved and painted forms.