Vintage Sosaku Kokeshi
“Ume no sat | Plum Country”
Wagatsuma, Kichisuke
Age:1940-1950
Descriptive qualities& condition:
Dimensions: 14-3/4”h
The body of the piece is finished with a purple lacquer finish, which is a very rare color for Kokeshi. It incorporates a traditional Tougatta face and abstract motifs of deep carving of the plum blossoms on the face and body, with the use of ‘Rokuro Moyo’ horizontal lines to further define the doll. The piece is signed with impression and identification of the bottom of the doll.
Vintage Condition: “As is” with some scattered light wear or stain that does not affect the design, and retains the original craft/workmanship. Any discoloration, chipping/cracking, surface wear or structural damage noted.
NOTE: Kichisuke created this doll during a brief time he worked as a Sosaku Kokeshi artist. He incorporated the rarely used color of purple into the body of the piece, which is the color of privilege and wealth, and was introduced into Japanese dress during the Heian Period, (794-1185).
... Read moreArtisan | Woodworker: Wagatsuma, Kichisuke | 1910
Origin:
Wagatsuma-san is from the Aone Hot Springs in Miyagi Prefecture. Though his family had been farmers for many generations, he worked in Shiraishi City as a Kijishi in his teen years. He then began his training as a Traditional Tougatta artist in his 20s under Master Tougatta maker Sato, Yoshiaku, in the early 1930s. Not too long after, Wagatsuma-san joined many other young Tougatta makers abandoning their Traditional Kokeshi craft to become Sosaku Kokeshi artists in the later 1940s to the early 1950s. At one point earlier in his Traditional career, Kichisuke trained other young Tougatta artists, including his son, Satoshi.
Collector's note – descriptive qualities, standard characteristics & ornamentation styles:
Kichisuke created this doll, entitled, Ume no sato, (Plum Country), during the brief time he worked as a Sosaku Kokeshi artist. It incorporates traditional abstract motifs with the use of ‘Rokuru Moyo’ horizontal lines to further define the doll. The face has traditional Tougatta characteristics, and is enhanced by the deep carving of the plum blossoms on the body. The body of the piece is finished with a purple lacquer. The name for purple in Japanese is ‘Murasaki’, which is also the name of the Purple Gromwell flower, and a very rare color for Kokeshi. Purple is the color of privilege and wealth, and was introduced into Japanese dress during the Heian Period, (794-1185).
Artist's Signature:
