Traditional Tougatta Ejiko Kokeshi with Koma-Tops by Sato, Kazuo

Dimensions: 2-1/4”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 the doll but this design is a container with a separate upper body/head and contains three (3) wonderfully fashioned miniature tops (Koma) in red, purple and green stripes. 

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 a red chrysanthemum motif. It has a painted body with something quite rare in a red banded pattern called Mokumegane, which takes on the appearance of the 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 means 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.