Vintage Japanese Kokeshi entitled: Akikusa | Autumn” by Kato, Masami
Dimensions: 11-1/4"h
This is a rare one-off doll and an exceptionally carved Kokeshi that was created by a talented carver enchanted with tradition. The painted work on the Haori and Obi, and the hand-carved kimono, give great visual and textural qualities to this piece. This elegant lady has a traditional hair design and incorporates an exceptionally large ‘Mage’ in the delicately rendered design. It is a beautiful example of a lady of leisure on an Autumn day. The piece has the artist's personal stamp on the bottom of the doll.
Vintage Condition: Pristine, excellent condition affording the doll age-old elegance. Retains the original craft/workmanship showing a wonderfully-developed patina commensurate with age and unrestored. The piece meets all the standards of Sosaku Kokeshi collectibles.
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Artisan | Woodworker: Kato, Masami | 1925-
Biographical History:
Masami is the wife of Kato, Shinichi, who is a Narugo traditional artist. She was born in Narugo, Miyagi Prefecture, and has received many prizes including the Prime Minister’s Award. This doll is entitled: “Akikusa | Autumn”.
As collectors, we felt it was most important to represent all Sosaku Kokeshi artists, whether or not each artist has a written account of his/her life. We show the diversity of cultural values and the creative work produced by a multitude of artists. As a valued customer, Kokeshi collector noted, “Kokeshi collecting is a personal journey in this everlasting realm of Japanese esthetics”. DF
In researching old writings through articles and books that remain, it is evident that the Kokeshi Craftsperson not only created beautiful forms as toys, but also kept alive cultural values, customs, and fashion through the extensive representations of Kokeshi dolls. The beauty is in the doll and not the signatures, for most masters never signed their dolls. Later they named the dolls, but only when Westerners insisted on signatures because they did not know the artists, so the carvers began to sign their works, for the carvers wanted to promote sales to make a living, during the seasons that did not provide an environment to continue their otherwise daily work.
Collector's note – descriptive qualities, standard characteristics & ornamentation styles:
This is a rare one-off doll created in 1960 by this artist. To date, we have not seen another, and feel this doll was an effort by the artist to understand Kokeshi's design and making from her husband who influenced the Narugo Family of dolls. In this case, the doll has transitional "elements of design" and does not follow the regimented requirements dictated by the traditional family craftspersons. That said incorporating an oversized “Mage” and traditional hairstyle is exemplary. The painted work on the Haori and Obi is enhanced by hand-carving the kimono body, adding texture to this piece. It is a beautiful rendition celebrating a traditional woman on a typical Autumn Day, with the coloration throughout the doll being very subtle.