Traditional Tougatta Ejiko Kokeshi by Sato, Masahiro (1938)

Dimensions: 9-1/4”h

The Ejiko’s origin is derived from a folk toy that is called an Izume.ko Doll, (Izume.Ko means “Isume baby” in the Yamagata dialect) that dates from the early 1910s. This particular Ejiko follows the same basic short, rotund style seen in all of this form of doll but this design is not a container with a separate upper body/head in which the head can be a cover. 

Here the doll has all the standard Tougatta facial and head decoration features with narrow eyes, split nose and side hair fringes with what is called, ‘Tegara”, in which the top of the head is covered with red chrysanthemum motif. It has chrysanthemum, (Kiku) painted on the banded body body with something quite rare. It has a red pattern on the front of the doll called Mokumegane, which takes on the appearance of natural wood grain. In this case it is meticulously executed in this miniature Ejiko. 

NOTE: This wood treatment was developed as a family pattern, which at the time could only be used by an artisan who has attained full mastership in the Tougatta Kiji Union, which makes this particular type of Kokesh VERY rare, few are placed on the market for sale.

Condition: Mint meaning that the piece retains its original craft/workmanship showing a wonderful-developed patina commensurate with its vintage. It is void of damage, cracks, breakage, or repairs and meets all the standards of the collectible Traditional Kokeshi.