Vintage Tsuchiyu Traditional Kokeshi by Watanabe, Tetsuo
Dimensions: 4-1/8” h
Shown is a very unusual Tsuchiyu kokeshi with all the elements of that family, but quite stylized. The short flattened head is wonderfully detailed. It has the futae-mabuta, (double lid), eyes, a naru-bana, (long nose), and just a suggestion of a mouth in red. There are black concentric circles on the top of the head called jano-me, and together with a red bow and a loop on the temporal head, (kase), are major characteristics of this family. There are wavy line patterns between diverse wide colored lines. A collector will appreciate the vivid facial expression. The piece is signed on the bottom of the doll.
Vintage Condition: The piece is in excellent condition, (“as is”), and retains the original craft/workmanship and commensurate with age. Any discoloration, chipping/cracking, surface wear, or structural damage is noted.
Japanese Traditional Kokeshi
Tsuchiyu-Kei (Family)
Prefecture: Fukushima
Origin:
Tsuchiyu Family dolls originated in the 1840s at Tsuchiyu Onsen in Fukushima Prefecture, by the work of Sakuma Kamegoro, a kiji-shi who had made various wood items for visitors to the Tsuchiyu Onsen.
Collector's note – characteristics/painting style:
These dolls come in two types: one with a slightly cone-shaped body widening towards the base; and one with a columnar body, tapering where the neck would be. The latter style is also known as the Rokuro Moyo style of circular painting. Artists of this type are famous for being the most accomplished in the circular style of painting, as they take it several steps further by either reversing the line at some point or by zig-zagging the lines periodically. Both add a dynamic element to the dolls.
The design of black, (occasionally purple or green), concentric circles on the top of the head are called Janome. This is known as the ‘snake eye design and is also commonly seen on the tops of paper and lacquered umbrellas (Kasa). The innermost circle of the head is usually colorless. Together with a red bow and a loop on the head, (kase), it is one major characteristic of the Tsuchiyu Kokeshi, along with hairstyles with tufts and bangs. The patterns of the body used to be simple black lines but the lines are drawn in different colors in later models. Some dolls even have patterns of irises and peony flowers between the lines. Most have eyes called futae-mabuta, (double lid), and noses called marubana, (round nose), and tare-bana, (long nose). A few dolls have conspicuously large eyes and noses with blushes around the eyes, similar to the Nakanosawa group.
Leading, Craftsmen:
Abe, Hiroshi, 1998, (Tsuchiyu, Fukushima) - Master: Abe, Kinzo
Abe, Kazue, 1937-2017 - No additional published information
Muramoto, Fumio, 1931-1999 - No additional published information
Namiya, Masao, 1921-2008 - No additional published information
Nishiyama, Kenichi, 1920-2003, (Tsuchiyu, Fukushima) - Master Nishiyama, Katsuji
Obata, Toshio, 1932- No additional published information
Ouchi, Ichiji, 1909, (Take, Fukushima) - Master: Ouchi, Kesakichi
Saito, Tokuju, 1926-2021 - No additional published information
Sato, Chushichi, 1917, (Tsuchiyu, Fukushima) - Master: Sato, Sashima
Sato, Hiromichi, 1930- Master - No additional published information
Sato, Zenji, 1924-1985 - No additional published information
Sakuma, Taichi 1900-1974 - No additional published information
Takahashi, Chuzo, 1893-1981 - No additional published information
Takahashi, Yoshitake, 1927-1995 - No additional published information
Tokunaga, Shinichi - No additional published information
Watanabe, Chuzo, 1921-2008 - No additional published information
Watanabe, Kazuo, 1940-2005 - No additional published information
Watanabe, Sadami 1917-1994 - No additional published information
Watanabe, Hitoshi, 1923, (Tsuchiyu, Fukushima) Master: Sato, Himomichi
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