Vintage Japanese RARE Traditional Tougatta, Mokkumegane Style Kokeshi by Wagamatsu, Yoshio (1932-)

Dimensions: 14-1/4” h

Wagamatsu-san (b.1932-), is one of the Tougatta craftsmen who founded the Tougatta Kiji Union. This cooperative was able to gain the rights for reserved wood use from the Japanese Ministry of Forestry. 

This Kokeshi doll was sold at the Akiu Onsen, Miyagi Prefecture, Sendai City, and is made in two parts. It is constructed by inserting a pin in the "neck" of the doll and then into the base of the head, (a squeeze-in type, which cannot be turned. As shown here, a pattern called, ‘Tegara’, in which the head is covered with a red chrysanthemum motif. It has radial curving lines moving from the top of the head down onto the forehead and covers the sides of the head. This doll exhibits the typical Tougatta bangs split in two with side hair fringes, thin narrow eyes, and a split-type nose. The doll has a narrow, columnar body shape, tapering at the shoulders to a head that is wider than the rest of the body and is more angular than round. It also incorporates the ‘Rokoru Moyo’ circular treatment to create an impression of the collar of the Kimono and the Obi. All done in variegated red pigment. The entire piece is finished with natural-colored candle wax, (Rosoku no ro). 

As for the body decoration, it is a hand-painted abstract pattern referred to as ‘Mokumegane’, which has the addition of stripes. This was made to take on the appearance of the same natural wood grain. Most of this doll’s style shows the wood treatment on the body and was painted while it was still on the lathe. 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 Kokeshi VERY rare, particularly because of its large size. We placed it on the market for sale. Most dolls on the market measure 8-0” or smaller. Wagamatsu-san’s signature is on the bottom of the doll.

To read more about this Family of Kokeshi makers go to: https://mingeiarts.com/collections/tougatta-kei-family

Condition: Excellent, meaning that the piece retains its original craft/workmanship, showing a wonderfully developed patina commensurate which suggests a degree of wear that corresponds to its vintage. It is void of damage, cracks, breakage, or repairs. There is slight fading of the original colors which is commensurate with age and meets all the standards of the collectible Traditional Tougatta-ken Kokeshi.