Vintage Japanese Sosaku Kokeshi entitled: “Aki | Autumn” by Sato, Kouson (A.K.A . Kimura)
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Dimensions: 14-1/2”h
Offered is an exceptionally painted doll celebrating Autumn. This doll show a mastery of painterly designs, with a three- dimensional appearance of her exquisitely and beautifully stylized multi-colored fall leaves and graphics, on lathe-turning of the natural wood. The sensitive turning of the wood form is additionally meant to complement both a tapered and undulating form. The face is simply detailed, beginning with her pulled back ‘Bob’ hairstyle with bangs introducing a new look during this time period that was more tailored and suitable for the Japanese face. A ‘Mage’, (topknot) finishes this doll, all with black hair, expressive eyes, without eyebrows, and an expressive red mouth. All in all, Kouson-san’s
painterly qualities are exceptional. The doll is signed on the bottom and published in Sosaku Kokeshi: Celebrating the Major Artists of the Creative Movement, 2022 by Evans & Wolf.
Condition: Superb outstandingly exceptional, impressive, and beautiful condition. No chips, cracks, breaks, missing pieces or restoration, and retains its original details and finish. The piece meets all the standards of the collectible Sosaku Kokeshi.
For additional information on the artist/family go to: https://mingeiarts.com/collections/artisan-woodworker-sato-kouson-a-k-a-komura
Sato-san has never wanted biographical information published, hence researchers have not found any details about her life. What is known is that she is one of the few female creative Kokeshi makers, and is recognized as an accomplished artist. Kouson-san worked out of her studio in Fukushima-ken, Kuwaori-machi. This was in the heart of the 2011 earthquake and tsunami devastation area of Fukushima Prefecture. Creative works in her studio were lost. She retired soon after.
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Artisan | Woodworker: Sato, Kouson (A.K.A. Kimura)
Origin:
One of the few female creative Kokeshi makers recognized as an accomplished artist, Kouson worked out of her studio in Fukushima-ken, Kuwaori-machi. This was in the heart of the 2011 earthquake and tsunami devastation area of Fukushima Prefecture.
As collectors, we felt it was most important to represent all Sosaku Kokeshi artists, and particularly a female and whether or not the artist has a written account of his or her life. Each shows the diversity of this cultural specialization and the creative work produced by this artist.
Collector's note – descriptive qualities, standard characteristics & ornamentation styles:
Her dolls are easily recognized by wonderfully soft and gentle faces, with the bodies’ artwork ranging from simple but elegant sumi-e’ brush strokes to beautifully painted autumn leaves, camellia, (winter rose), or the chrysanthemum, (Kikumon, as related to the Imperial Seal of Japan) and bamboo. She occasionally created Zodiac characters that are quite rare! Not afraid to create very large dolls, her work distances itself from other female artists in the creative genre with her bold approach. She also incorporated “Chatter Work” into the body of some dolls to create a wonderful contrast in texture.
Artist's signature:
