Rare Vintage Japanese Yajirou Kokeshi Personal Seal (Hanko) by Takashi Kamata
Dimensions: 8-1/2” h x 3-3/4” dia.
This is an exceptionally wonderful miniature red ink seal that has a stamp with a Kanji that translates as “Wisdom | Humanity”. It was used to place a personal mark on a communication in the place of a signature, in this case an artistic and philosophical form of mark used by a Kokeshi craftsman or merchant.
The seal is contained in a lathe-turned dogwood (mazuki), three-dimemsional, Yajirou style Kokeshi that separates in the middle to expose the seal. The figure follows the designs set forth by the Yajirou family craftsmen having a distinct waist and wider base. The piece has been decorated using a rainbow of colors of red, black, green, and purple. The upper portion has a hand-painted bodice of stylized chrysanthemum petals, separated by Rokoru Moyo horizontal line work. On the bottom are further abstractions of flower pedals. The head has a painted beret-like feature or a bun on the skull, similarly painted with a red and purple circles and a black center spot. It additionally has black hair with bangs and hair side fringes, single lid eyes, a cat shaped nose and small red mouth. The seal is signed on the bottom by Takashi Kamata. When purchased it was presented with a black and red lacquer box decorated with plum blossoms and holds an ink pad.
For additional information on the artist go to: https://mingeiarts.com/collections/yajirou-kei-family
Condition: Excellent and original condition retaining their original craft/workmanship showing and is commensurate with age. The piece meets all the standards of Traditional Yajirou-Kei Kokeshi styling.
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
Niiyama, Fukutaro, 1898-1965 - No additional published information
Niiyama Fukuo, 1922, (Yajiro Shironishi, Miyagi) - Master: Niiyama, Fukutaro
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
Sato Tatsuo, 1928-2009, (Yajiro Shiroishi , Miyagi) - Master: Sato, Imasaburo
Sato Yoshiaki, 1936, (Shiroishi Miyagi) - Master: Sato, Tatsuo
Sato, Koichi, 1936, (Shiroishi, Miyagi) - Master:Hamatsu, Heisaburo
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