RARE, Vintage Japanese Traditional Kijiyama Kokeshi by Kyutaro, Ogura (1906-1998)
Dimensions: 9-0” h
The Master of Kokeshi: Ogura Kutaro, was a Grand Kiji-ya Master who created this style of Kijiyama Kokeshi, and who passed away at the age of 91. This book is “out of print”, and was published in English, Spanish, and Portuguese. We were fortunate to receive a copy at his introduction in 2001. Mingeiarts has sold several Kijiyama dolls, but this pattern is a rare version of a Kyutaro Kokeshi.
It is the only variation we have seen and is one of the older pieces he made in his professional life as a Kiji-shi (woodworker), and dates earlier and formed the basis for his famous “Maedare” doll. It is unique in its overall design and motif, with simply the chrysanthemum and stems in red and black on the front of its Kimono. The doll’s head, which has been described as an “inverted egg”, sits on top of the shoulders, with a red bow, above for decoration. The expressive face has a more standard hairstyle, with bangs and side hair fringes framing the face. The doll is painted in black and red pigments, celebrating the natural characteristics of dogwood, (Hanamizuki). It was formed from one piece of wood. The doll has a rich hue, which adds a warm and inviting aesthetic to the doll, and is finished in a natural colored candle wax, (Rosoku no ro), to seal the wood and protect it from daily wear. There is beautiful script writing on the back, with the doll’s identification and the artist's signature, which was standard placement for this inscription. This doll was completely executed by Kyutaro-san, who studied under Hisashiro, Ogura.
See additional writings on our website related to this subject: Under our Browse and Learn section, please refer to: https://mingeiarts.com/collections/kijiyama-kei-family.
Condition: Excellent, meaning that the piece retains its original craft/workmanship, showing a wonderful-developed patina commensurate with its age. It is void of damage, cracks, breakage, or repairs, and meets all the standards of the collectible Traditional Kijiyame-kei Family dolls.
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Japanese Traditional Kokeshi | Kijiyama-Kei (Family)
Prefecture: Akita
Origin:
One of the most readily recognizable of the 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 of the faces of Kiiyama kokeshi reflects the lonesome past of their birthplace.
Collector's note – characteristics / painting style:
In spite of 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 on 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 dolls development. 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.
Kijiyama-Kei, (Family), Craftsmen:
Abe, Heishiro, 1929, (Inagawa, Akita) - Master: Takahashi, Heijiro
Abe, Yoko, 1932, (Yuzaya, Akita) - Master: Abe, Heishiro
Igawa, Takemitsu, 1925, (Inagawa Akita) - Master: Ozeki, Kyutaro
Kitayama, Kenichi - No additional published information
Koyasu, Ichigoro - No additional published information
Ogura, Kyutaro, 1906, (Minase, Akita) - Master: Ogura, Kyushiro
Ogura, Tomezo, 1909, (Inagawa, Akita) - Master Ogura, Kyushiro
Onodera, Juichi, 1908, (Inagawa, Akita) - Master Ogura, Keitaro
Sato, Hideichi, 1927, (Inagawa, Akta), Master Sato, Kaneichi
Shibata, Ryoji, 1944, (Inagawa, Akita)) - Master Shibata, Tetsuzo
Suzuki, Kotaro, 1922, (Inagawa, Akita) - Master Takahashi, Heijiro