Vintage Japanese Sosaku Kokeshi entitled: “Baien / Ume to shijo | Plum Blossom” by Takahashi, Hashime | 1918-2002
Dimensions: 14-3/4”h
This tall vintage Kokeshi is by legendary master Kokeshi artisan Hashime, Takahashi, who created the piece in celebration of the Plum Festival. The doll is identified with two titles, (Baien and Ume to shijo), fore which the name was used differently depending on whether it is a competition entry or market item. This doll uses an enduring metaphor for the ephemeral nature of life, an aspect of Japanese cultural tradition that is often associated with Buddhistic influence.
The particular doll incorporates hand-drawn spray of white plum blossom branches in full bloom and formed on the lathe from one piece of Dogwood, (Hanamizuki) wood. The plum is associated with the start of spring, because plum blossoms are some of the first blossoms to open during the year. Plum blossoms are a symbol of refinement, purity, and nobility, and also a reminder of past love. The doll has a pronounced neck supporting her head that have elegant peaceful eyes, which are a trademark for Hashime-san, an expressive little white mouth, with suggested bangs and side hair fringes. The bottom of the doll bears the artist's signature, the competition title of the doll, (Baien), and the inscription “Prime Ministers Award, All Japan Kokeshi Competition”, along with red stamp impression.
Condition: Excellent vintage condition and commensurate with age. Seldom found carving, with no loss or fading of artwork/details. After the turning, carving, and painting, the doll is lacquered and sealed with a natural candle wax, (Rosoku no ro). A perfect doll for the collector of Japanese Kokeshi folk art.
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Artisan | Woodworker: Takahashi, Hashime | 1918-2002
Biographical History:
Takahashi Hashime was originally a fine artist/painter. He is known for his colorful designs and the use of brush strokes. Takahashi-san is from Sendai, (where Traditional Kokeshi were born), in Miyagi Prefecture. His artistic background also includes time spent as a craftsman of Yuzen silk kimono dying which is why Kimono is a focus on all of his dolls. He is a multiple award winner in yearly Kokeshi competitions, receiving the Prime Minister’s Award, the highest honor bestowed on Sosaku Kokeshi artists. All of his work is easily recognized producing unique forms and details. Now deceased, his son, Akinori is carrying on the family’s tradition, but in limited production.
Collector's note – descriptive qualities, standard characteristics & ornamentation styles:
The most unusual quality of his dolls is that their heads are treated as a separate element which in many cases are a simple tapered element between the head and the body of the doll. The artist motif‘s range from realistic seasonal flowers such as abstract Plum flowers, (Ume), Cherry blossoms, (Sakura), and Japanese Iris, (Ayame), or celebrating zodiac figures representing one of twelve specific constellations of the zodiac, which over time took on diverse meanings. Takahashi-san has a beautiful pictorial approach to illustrating kimono in a very refined painterly way. He shows both painted and carved Kimono, Obi with exaggerated waists and supportive under and over garments such as scarves and sashes. His use of Rokuro Moyo is occasionally seen in carved and painted forms. Last but not least, are the detailing of faces, all having expressive eyes, small dot noses and wisps of hair. His use of Rokuro Moyo is occasionally seen in both carved and painted forms.