Vintage Japanese Sosaku Kokeshi entitled: “Miyayo-ji | Road to the Capital” by Takeda, Masashi (1930-2015)
Dimensions: 15-0”h
‘Zen’ literally means meditation, reflection, and awareness of thoughts, feelings, and physical sensations arising and passing, neither adding anything to the current environment experience. This exceptionally tall and slender doll is minimally carved, with eyes painted in black, exhibiting a meditative and serene expression. The almost veil-like long hair is rendered and drapes down her body. The only carving representing her kimono is a subtle line showing the separation of the gown with the same simple handling of the Obi that has carved chrysanthemum petals on the front, on a base of solid Cherry wood. The color and graining of the Cherry wood are used to naturally ornament the surface of the kimono. There is an incised stamp on the back identifying the artist as Takeda-san.
Additional Information:
Takeda-san trained as a Sakunami/ Yamagata Traditional artist in Yonezawa, Yamagata Prefecture. His master is Takeda Usaburo, who also mentored Masashi’s older brother Shinkichi, who has remained a Traditional Yamagata artist. This piece was published in Sosaku Kokeshi: Celebrating the Major Artists of the Creative Movement. To read more about this artist go to: https://mingeiarts.com/collections/artisan-woodworker-takeda-masashi-1930.
Condition: Superb, outstanding, excellent, impressive, and beautiful. No chips, cracks, breaks, missing pieces, or restoration, and it retains its original details and finish. The piece meets all the standards of the vintage collectible Sosaku Kokeshi.
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Artisan | Woodworker: Takeda, Masashi | 1930-2015
Origin:
Trained as a Sakunami/Yamagata Traditional artist in Yonezawa, Yamagata Prefecture. His master is Takeda Usaburo, who also mentored Masashi’s older brother Shinkichi, who has remained a Traditional Yamagata artist.
As collectors we felt it was most important to represent all Sosaku Kokeshi artists, whether or not the artist has a written account of his or her life. Each show the diversity of this cultural specialization and the creative work produced by this artist.
Collector's note – descriptive qualities, standard characteristics & ornamentation styles:
This artist is known for exceptionally carved and painted detail, and wonderfully intricate, adorned Kimono with some form of floral motif. Giving great character and depth to his dolls, Takeda–san shows his appreciation of the natural decorative quality of wood. Additionally, a typical theme of the mother with child is also seen in his work, but is quite rare. The duo are beautifully constructed, turned on the lathe, and pinned with dowels to create a sensitive, balanced image. The infant is seen in the arms of the mother, which is not meant to be sentimental, and exemplifies the relationship between the figures expressing serenity and stability.
Artist's Signature:
