Vintage Japanese Traditional Nakanosawa Kokeshi “Takobozu” by Fumio, Kakizaki (1947-)
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Dimensions: 12-0”h
This is a traditional Nakanosawa Kokeshi and is unusual because of its size. It is by one of the family's Grand carvers. He apprenticed under Takeo, Takahashi, and Yoshizo, Iwamoto, one of the original craftsmen who helped establish this style in the 1920s. This family of dolls was previously considered a sub-strain of the Tsuchiyu style.
The specific type of Kokeshi is often described as male rather than female, by Kokeshi enthusiasts even though it was not specifically designed to be a male. It is referred to as "Tako bozu", (bald boys), with an octopus face and shaven head reminiscent of the hairstyle worn by monks. The facial expression shows humor that is representative of Iwamoto Kenichi, a street dancer, (Sutorītodansā), in the 1920s, who used a cushion that had a face with large eyes painted on it. 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.
This Kokeshi has a characteristically over-sized head, with a long tuft of hair on the head, cascading down the back. This is based on what was known as the YORISIRO phenomenon, and it is a very important Shinto concept for Buddhists and has long had a social, religious, erotic, and psychological significance. The doll additionally has side hair fringes which was typical of practitioners of the Zen Buddhist faith. The doll shows large expressive Bikkuri-me, surprised eyes, and the expressive ’Shishi-bata’, a Lion’s nose with flared nostrils. He exhibits a faint reddish-to-pink blush around the eyes, and an open mouth with a red tongue, which were painted originally on the dancer's pillow. Seen are ‘Janome’ black rings painted on the top of its head with abstract peony petals on the side with bangs. ‘Rokoru moyo’, red bands are incorporated below the neck and lower body on the thin and tapering body. The painted body incorporates two large open red and black peony flowers inspired by the tattoos that the Geisha sported. The doll is signed by the artist on the bottom of the doll by Fumio-san.
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.
Condition: Excellent, meaning that the piece retains its original craft/workmanship, showing a wonderful- developed patina commensurate with its vintage. It is void of damage, cracks, breakage, or repairs, and meets all the standards of the collectible Traditional Nakanosawa Kokeshi, recording the historical significance related to the establishment of this family of dolls and its uniqueness.
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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