Vintage Japanese Sosaku Kokeshi entitled: Aki | Autumn by Sato Kouson (A.K.A. Komura)
Dimensions: 8–3/4”h
We have yet to find any biographical information of this artist for she valued her privacy where she worked out of her studio in Fukushima-ken, Kuwaori-machi, Japan.
Celebrating Autumn, this doll shows a mastery of painterly designs, with a three- dimensional appearance of her exquisitely multi-colored falling leaves,
on lathe-turning of the natural wood creating an undulating two piece form. Her face is simply detailed, beginning with her ‘bob’ hairstyle with bangs. A ‘Mage’ or topknot is incorporated in black, expressive eyes, without eyebrows, a cat nose, and an expressive red mouth. The artists painterly qualities are exceptional. Being an early piece this doll is unsigned but characteristically her work.
See additional writings on our website related to this subject: https://mingeiarts.com/collections/artisan-woodworker-sato-kouson-a-k-a-komura
Condition: Mint meaning the piece is perfect, totally original and complete with no fading, cracks, or restoration, and retains its wonderful patina which suggests a degree of slight wear that corresponds to its vintage. The artifact meets all the standards of the collectible Vintage Sosaku Kokeshi.
Return Policy
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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.