Vintage Japanese Sosaku Kokeshi “Shimai | Whispering Sisters” by Yonamoto, Minoru (1934-)
Dimensions: 15-3/4”h
This is an exceptional pairing of two dolls illustrate beautifully-turned figures. The emphasis is on the combination of unpainted woods, beginning with the unusual and expressive Obi. Each has spherical insets of different types of wood, with a backdrop of ‘Rokuro- moyo’ horizontally carved line work incorporated into each body, defining the matching Obi on each doll. The heads have sumi-e’ brushwork in the style of the traditional Tougatta family of dolls, defining the faces, with bangs and side hair-fringes. The heads ad designed and made to be positioned as if they were communicating or whispering to each other. Each doll has the artist’s signature on the bottom identifying the maker.
This pair is published in a 200 page hardcover book entitled: Sosaku Kokeshi: Celebrating the Major Artists of the Creative Movement with information on the artist which can also be seen on this site under the artists name: (https://mingeiarts.com/collections/artisan-woodworker-yonamoto-minoru-1934.
Condition: Excellent, meaning that the piece retains its original craft/workmanship showing a wonderfully-developed patina commensurate with age, which suggests a degree of wear that corresponds to its vintage, void of damage, cracks, breakage, or repairs. This doll meets all the standards of the collectible Japanese Sosaku Kokeshi.
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: Yonamoto, Minoru | 1934-
Origin:
Yonamoto-san was born in Tougatta, Miyagi Prefecture, and apprenticed as a Traditional artist under Masters Sato, Kichinosuke and Sato, Shoji.
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:
Yonamoto’s, Sosaku dolls show beautiful and sensitive turning with an emphasis on the combination of unpainted wood and unusual treatment of the bodies, with contrasting inserts or carved elements to define his dolls. Faces are extremely simple and expressive, with sumi-e’ ink details to define each character. His two famous pieces are entitled “Shimai” (Whispering Sisters), in which the heads are positioned as if they are speaking to one another. Their obi’s are also exceptional with carved grooving to define and give texture to the contrasting woods.
Artist's Signature:
