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)
Biographical History:
One of the few female creative Kokeshi makers recognized as an accomplished artist, Kouson worked from her studio in Fukushima, in the heart of the devastating area of the 2011 earthquake and tsunami. There is little biographical data on Kouson, but 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:
Kouson-san had a daring approach to her painting style and was not afraid to make very large and expressive dolls. 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.