Vintage Japanese Sosaku Kokeshi entitled: Komori, Tending Child by Kuribayashi, Issetsu
Dimensions: 6-1/2”h
A typical theme of only a few artists is the mother with child or the infant in the arms of the Oshin, (Baby Sitter). Japanese mothers are known for proactively predicting the needs of their children, making the prevention of fuss a high priority. The babysitter was a trusted and essential part of the Japanese family. It was particularly important to rural mothers who daily worked the fields, and who needed assurance that each child would be lovingly cared for throughout the day.
This doll is a one-off creation of an assembled figure lathe carved from one piece of wood. There are three sections, the bottom, the bodice, (the section of the kimono from the waist to the neck with a beautiful Kiku, (chrysanthemum) floral motif in black hand painting on natural wood with a red bow sash on the body and part of the focal point. Shown are the hand-painted facial features of narrow slanted eyes, a tiny red-painted nose on the adult, and a wide-eyed baby on her shoulder or onbuhimo. On the top of the adult's head is a delicately fashioned traditional hairstyle referred to as a “Mage”. The piece is signed.
Vintage Condition: Pristine, excellent condition affording the doll age-old elegance. Retains the original craft/workmanship showing a wonderfully-developed patina commensurate with age and unrestored. The piece meets all the standards of Sosaku Kokeshi collectibles.
Return Policy
Our antique/vintage pieces are identified/described and professionally photographed, and considered, “as is”, therefore all sales are final. Read our full refund and return policy.
Artisan | Woodworker: Kuribayashi, Issetsu | 1924-2011
Biographical History:
Kuribayashi-san was born in Yonezawa city in 1924. He began making creative Kokeshi in 1955. Kuribayashi is considered one of the founding fathers of the Sosaku-Creative movement. Many of his works were one-of-a-kind creations." Yuzuriu", "Mugen" and "Kareha" are all prize winners: "Mugen”, (Eternity) won an honorary prize when it was exhibited at the 1970 World’s Fair in Osaka. Chiro was awarded the Encouragement Prize of the Minister of Education the year it was made and was displayed in the Government Pavilion at the Japan International Exposition. Additionally, a popular, Mother and Child theme is found in numerous works by various artists including Kuribayashi. Issetsu’s Kokeshi are held in the collection of the Nuremberg Toy Museum in Germany. He was the President of the Yonezawa Miyuki Association and a Member of the Nippon Kokeshi Artistic Handicraft Association.
Collector's note – descriptive qualities, standard characteristics & ornamentation styles:
Kuribayashi-san enjoys long flowing unbound hair, (taregami), and incorporates traditional hairstyles both with and without hair ornaments, (Kanzashi). The eyes express humility, and his faces typically have a tiny red spot for the nose. Shape and balance are important elements of Japanese style and decoration. These carved and complementing shapes are thought to suggest intuition and inspiration.