Vintage Japanese ‘Takobozu’ Nakanosawa Ejiko Kokeshi by Kakizaki, Fumio
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Dimensions: 4-1/2”h x 3-1/4”dia.
The Ejiko is the only other doll form that transcends all ten+one different traditional types. While this form is not considered a separate member of the ten original families, it later was accepted by collectors as its own entity, and as a traditional doll in its own right. As opposed to the standard Ejiko form of having a hollowed-out body to be used as a container, the upper portion of the body, (neck and head) appears to be a cover or lid but is not. This particular doll follows the overall characteristics of design as applied to the standard, traditional kokeshi made by both the Nakanosawa and Tsuchiyu-kei family of dolls.
The artist uses the same basic short, rotund-style form of the Ejiko. The head treatment has a larger over-sized head with a small tuft of a wavy hair strand on the back, and side hair friges which was typical of practitioners of the Zen Buddhist faith. The design of black concentric circles known as the ‘snake eye’ design shown on the top of the head which was also called Janome style. The doll shows large expressive Bikkuri-me eyes, (surprised eyes), but interestingly the artist did not incorporate the expressive Shishi-bata Lion’s nose with flared nostrils, instead using the “tare-bata” long nose) made famous by the Tsuchiyu family. Finally, he has incorporated patterns of flowers on the shoulder, framed between red and green “Rokuro Moyo” patterned lifework. On the body is a basket weave motif in green to simulate the original woven basket design of the Izume.Ko styling in which babies were placed while families were working on the farm. The piece is signed on the bottom by the artist.
Condition: Excellent vintage condition and commensurate with age. This is a rarely seen example of this family style of dolls that were based on the Nakanosawa styling. It has historical significance related to the establishment of this style of Ejiko and is extremely unique. You will not see another currently being sold.
See additional writings on our website related to this subject: Under our Browse and Learn section, please refer to https://mingeiarts.com/collections/nakanosowa-family for full details on the history and development of this style doll.
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Japanese Traditional Kokeshi | Nakanosowa-Kei (Family)
Prefecture: Fukushima
Origin:
The Nakanosawa doll is a member of the Tsuchiyu family. However, it is so obviously different from the rest of this family that it warrants its own description. This distinctively painted traditional doll was originally created by Iwamoto Zenkichi, in Nakanosawa Onsen, in the town of Inawashiro, Fukushima Prefecture. How they came to be created is a wonderful story. It is said that a street dancer named Iwamoto Kenichi and performed a fast tempo foot dance called a "Kappore" fore which which he gave dancing lessions to local geisha girls. He created a Kokeshi doll copied after a pillow that he used in this dance. The painted pillow from which his Kokeshi doll had facial features as well as painted bold flower patterns. His audience was soon so taken with his dance with the pillow that they asked for a doll to be made with these special features and nicknamed affectionately as a "Tako Bouzu" with characteristic large popping eyes and bold flower design.
Collector's note – characteristics / painting style:
In the beginning, the doll was made of papier maché. When Kenichi’s son began to produce the doll, it was made like the rest of the traditional Kokeshi, but retained the large, expressive eyes, over-sized head, and reddish to pink blush on each cheek, similar to that painted on the pillow. The dolls also had a very different nose, with flared nostrils, much like a lion’s nose (shishi-bana). They were usually painted in the style of the rest of the Tsuchiyu Kokeshi, with the Janome rings painted on their heads and Rokoru bands on the tall, thin and tapering bodies.
One of the more unique features still found on Nakanosawa dolls, however, are the large, open peonies, which people claim were originally inspired by the tattoos that the Geisha sported.
These dolls also have been given the humorous name of “Tako Bozo”, which translated means “an octopus with a monk’s shaven head”. After the death of Kenichi’s son Yoshizou, a group of craftsmen kept the making of the Nakanosawa doll alive. While considered a sub-strain of the Tsuchiyu Kokeshi, these beguiling dolls have a special attraction to collectors because of their history.
Notable artists:
Seya Kouji, b. 1952
Kakizaki Fumiio, b.1947
Arakawa Youicihi, b. 1938
Sanbe Haruo, b. 1929
Takahashi, Takeo, Master
Seya, Juji, Master, b. 1924
Iwamoto Yoshizo, Grand Master