Vintage Japanese Tougatta-kei Daruma Kokeshi by Sakura Eiichi | Bodhidharma Kokeshi
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Dimensions: 5-1/2”h x 3-3/4” dia.
Tougatta dolls are thought to be the oldest family members of the Traditional school. They originated in the Tougatta Onsen in the Miyagi Prefecture, and were subsequently being produced also at Aone Onsen, and the cities of Sendai, and Izumi.
This Daruma, (Bodhidharma) was a monk who began the Zen School of Buddhism. The original hand painting design, (in black pigment symbolizing protection against evil sprits) for which the details have fully retained its beautiful details. He has exceptionally expressive face showing Daruma’s determined expression with opened eyes and black pupils and a pronounced furrows above the nose, with a very detailed and heavy beard. His eyebrows are heavy black and shaped like cranes (which are said to live 10,000 years”), and which is common for this characteristic style of doll. The doll is lathe-turning from beech (Buna-zai) wood, and was finished with a type of natural candle wax, (Roseau no ro). The artists signature and details are in script and on the bottom of the doll. The top of the doll has additional script writings pertaining to Daruma and future fortune and on the front of his robe has one of many symbols for good luck.
Condition: Generally excellent vintage condition, commensurate with use and age and retaining the original craft/workmanship and natural features of the wood from which it is made—an Exceptional representation of this notable religious founder of the Zen sect of Buddhism. The piece meets all the standards of Zen Buddhist art from this period.
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Japanese Traditional Kokeshi | Tougatta-Kei (Family)
Prefecture: Miyagi
Origin:
Tougatta dolls are thought to be the oldest family members of the Traditional school. They originated in the Tougatta Onsen in the Miyagi Prefecture, and were subsequently being produced also at Aone Onsen, and the cities of Sendai, and Izumi. In the 1960s, Togatta craftsman founded the Tougatta Kiji Union, a cooperative that was able to gain the rights for reserved wood use from the Japanese Ministry of Forestry. The Tougatta style are easily found by collectors in an interesting range of variations.
Collector's note – characteristics/painting style:
They are easily recognized by their narrow, columnar body shapes, tapering at the shoulders to a head that is wider than the rest of the doll, and more angular than round. Most Tougatta dolls have bangs split in two with side fringes, thin narrow eyes, and a split nose or cat-type nose. Several have paintings of chrysanthemums, (Kiku), plums (Ume), and iris (Ayame), usually in very stylized designs. The dolls decorated with plum branches and blossoms are associated with Aone Onsen. There is also a group which have ‘banded’ bodies. These are decorated in a circular-style painting known as Rokoru Moyo, which is done as the doll is turned on the lathe. Here again, the head is a squeeze-in type, but cannot be turned to produce a ‘squeak’. The head is covered with a painting of a chrysanthemum.
NOTE: Both Yajirou ad Togutta dolls are sometimes created with loose rings circling the waists. Literally carved from the same wood as the body, a very meticulous method! This treatment is referred to as 'Yamiyo' style kokeshi. It is also seen on Tsuchiyu dolls, though very rarely.
Notable artists:
Oohara Masayoshi
Asakura Kinu, b. 1918
Asakura Eiji, Master
Midorikawa Masando, b. 1926
Sato Tetsuro, Grand Master