Vintage Japanese RARE Yajirou Ejiko Container with Miniature Spinning Tops | Koma by Ooizumi, Kiyomi (1936-)
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Dimensions: 5-1/2” h x 2-3/8” dia.
The Ejiko’s origin is derived from a folk toy that is called an Izume.ko Doll, (Izume.Ko means “Isume baby”), which dates from the early 1910s, and which comes from Tsuruoka, of the Yamagata prefecture. This toy is made of one piece of Cherry, (Sakura), wood with four miniature spinning tops inside. Out of the earlier prototypes arose the Ejiko doll, which had its beginnings in the 1950s.
Firstly, the body is a very delicate undulating form created by an expert craftsman on a lathe. The head and bodice, (upper part of the Kimono), act as the top to the container and show a beautiful slender neck that attaches the head to the body. It then transits into the lower portions of the kimono using the Yajirou-Kei figure styling. This piece, being a container, is hollowed out with a beautifully formed lip, which joins at the waist by the simulated obi. This portion as the cover, or lid, is referred to as the Obunko. The body contains five (5) multi-colored miniature spinning tops, (Koma).
The government, during the Edo Period, issued a decree encouraging a modest and frugal lifestyle, which resulted in large dolls and toys being banned as luxuries. Thus, the people of Edo, (modern-day Tokyo) devised clever ways to create miniatures that were scaled down in size and were just as fun as full-size dolls and toys, and the culture of miniatures was born. New forms of miniatures still appear alongside the traditional ones being offered and continue to delight collectors all around the world. The miniature tops, that were specifically made for this container, show fine details and shimmering colors and symbolize a respected Japanese tradition, which became popular then, and today, because it takes more refined skills to produce than life-size pieces.
The head is painted with a beret-like feature, or a bun, and has a red spot in the center, and hair on the sides. Side hair fringes with double eyelids and a cat-shaped nose complete the piece. The body of the container has Rokoru moyo horizontal strips in red, purple, and green reeds running on the lower portion. The Ejiko is finished with a type of natural candle wax,(Rosoku no ro). The artist Ooizumi, Kiyomi studied under Grand Master: Niiyama San and Master: Hamatsu Heizaburo, both of the Yajirou family of Traditional Kokeshi makers. The piece is signed and titled by the artist on the bottom of the container.
Condition: Superb, outstanding, excellent, impressive, and beautiful. It is void of chips, cracks, breaks, missing pieces, or restoration, and retains its original details and finish. With a wonderful presence, it was protected and treasured by the previous owner who purchased the piece from the craftsman. This artifact meets all the standards of the collectible Vintage Kokeshi Ejiko, and without question, is a unique treasure for the Japanese Kokeshi and toy collector.
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Japanese Traditional Kokeshi | Yajirou-Kei (Family)
Prefecture: Miyagi
Origin:
The creators of these dolls hail from the small farming village of Yajirou-machi near Kamasaki Onsen in Miyagi Prefecture, once a farming village between two, tall mountains. The kiji-shi (woodworkers), divided their time between farming and wood-craft. Those who made kokeshi in their spare time sent their wives to the nearby Kamasaki Onsen to sell their work to tourist shops and through onsens.
Collector's note – characteristics/painting style:
The majority of this style has distinct waists and wider bases, making them very stable. Yajirou dolls are some of the most brightly painted of the traditional family set. Utilizing a veritable rainbow of colours, from the usual red and black to green, yellow, and even blue and purple, they are available in probably the widest range of shapes. The upper body usually has a hand-painted collar with horizontal stripes encircling the body, as in the Rokoru moyo style, and vertical stripes running below the waist to the base of the doll. However, Yajirou dolls can also be found with a series of chrysanthemum petals running down the front of the body, or a branch of plum blossoms as the only decoration. Some, also have a painted beret-like feature or a bun on their heads, similarly painted with a red center spot. Less common are Yajirou that have conical hats known as Suge-Gasa. Typically seen is one lid or double eyelids, cat or pick shaped nose. Yajirou kokeshi have been made from cherry wood, camellia, and maple, but the preferred wood is white dogwood, (mazuki).
NOTE: Both Yajirou ad Togutta dolls are sometimes created with loose rings circling the waists. Literally carved from the same wood as the body, a very meticulous method! This treatment is referred to as 'Yamiyo' style kokeshi. It is also seen on Tsuchiyu dolls, though very rarely.
Notable artists:
Satou Denki, b. 1909Satou Dennai, Master
Ishikawa Tokujiro, b. 1915
Niiyama Fukutaro, Master
Sato Tatsuro, b. 1928
Sato Imasaburo, Master
Hamatsu Heizaburo, b. 1933
Niiyama Sanai, MasterYajirou
Niiyama Yoshinori, b. 1960
Niiyama Yoshitaro, Grand Master