Vintage Tougatta Traditional Kokeshi by Yonamoto, Minoru
Dimensions: 7-1/4” h
Descriptive Qualities: Each family craftsman attempted to show creativity, while following strict family doll standards. This kokeshi shows a descendants attempt to personalize his work by adding loose rings carved from one piece of lathe- turned wood. The doll incorporates red, green and purple radial designs as well as a Chrysanthemum on the base. The head of the doll called, (tegara ), is composed of a circle of flowers and bangs. The head is quite large with a slender body, making it easier for children to grasp when they were first used as toys. She has long, narrow, crescent-shaped eyes with both the upper and lower eyelids. Her nose is shaped like two pine needles, (Ware-Bana / split nose), and a red dot suggesting her mouth. The doll is signed on the bottom by the artist.
Vintage Condition: Excellent, (“as is”) and retains the original craft/workmanship, and commensurate with age. Any discoloration, chipping/cracking, surface wear, or structural damage is noted.
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Japanese Traditional Kokeshi | Tougatta-Kei (Family)
Prefecture: Miyagi
Origin:
Tougatta dolls are thought to be the oldest family members of the Traditional school. They originated in the Tougatta Onsen in the Miyagi Prefecture and were subsequently being produced also at Aone Onsen and the cities of Sendai, and Izumi. In the 1960s, Togatta craftsman founded the Tougatta Kiji Union, a cooperative that was able to gain the rights for reserved wood use from the Japanese Ministry of Forestry. The Tougatta style is easily found by collectors in an interesting range of variations.
Collector's note – characteristics/painting style:
Tougatta dolls are easily recognized by their narrow, columnar body shapes, tapering at the shoulders, to a head that is wider than the rest of the doll, and more angular than round. The head is a squeeze-in type, and it is covered with a painting of a chrysanthemum. Most Tougatta dolls have split bangs (Hachi), with side fringes, crescent-shaped double-lidded eyes (many of which have arched brows), and a split nose or cat-type nose. Several have paintings of chrysanthemums (Kiku), plums (Ume), and irises (Ayame), usually in very stylized designs. The dolls decorated with plum branches and blossoms are associated with Aone Onsen. There is also a group that has ‘banded’ bodies primarily in red with some green. These are decorated in a circular-style painting known as Rokoru Moyo, which is done as the doll is turned on the lathe. The most collectible type is the Tougatta Mokuma style, in which the body or kimono is intricately painted with a detailed and variable wood grain pattern.
NOTE: The rare Tougatta Yamiyo dolls are created with loose rings circling the waists. Carved from the same wood as the body- it is a very meticulous method! It is also seen on Yajirou and Tsuchiyu dolls, though just as rare.
Leading, Craftsmen:
Sato, Kouichi - No additional published information
Sato, Morimasa - No additional published information
Sato, Nirio, 1948, (Tougatta, Miyagi) - Master: Sato, Teruo
Sato, Teruo, 1919 - (Tougatta) -Master: Sato Seisuke
Sato, Tomio - No additional published information
Sato, Yoshiaki, (Tougatta, Miyagi) - Master: Sato, Teruo
Sato, Ushizo , Master - (Tougatta, Miyagi Spa)
Nagao, Masayoshi, 1931, (Sendai, Miyagi) - Master: Sato, Mamoru
Wagamatsu, Yoshio, 1932 (Aone, Miyagi) - Master: Wagatsuma, Kichisuke