Vintage Japanese Traditional Narugo Kokeshi by Yusa, Fukuju
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Dimension: 13-3/4”h
Narugo dolls are one of the most well-known families of Kokeshi, originally came from Narugo Onsen in Miyagi Prefecture, and originated sometime in the Edo period when there were approximately 125 craftsmen producing this style. The Narugo Kokeshi have been labeled the most sophisticated of the Traditional styles.
Here is what makes this Kokeshi beautifully preserved being created in the artists earlier career as a Traditional craftsman. Made by Yusa, Fukui, knowns as a Creative/Sosaku artist was born in Miyagi Prefecture to a very prominent family of Traditional Narugo Kokeshi artists. Yusa-san had a hard time separating himself from the dolls his family produced and while apprenticing under Master Takashashi Sakari of Narugo Spa, Miyagi, where he began creating Sosaku dolls in the late 1950s.
The following are the details of this offering. This Kokeshi is beautifully defined by its straight-shaped body, narrowing slightly at the waist with beveled shoulders. It bangs are well defined and a definitive feature of the head with side fringes, a single eyelid, and a cat nose. Its graphics are well balanced, having chrysanthemum, (Kiku)as the major motif on the body of the doll making the doll visually elegant. The doll is signed on the bottom by Yusa (1930-), and is very collectible for the collector who wants a full perspective of the pieces produced by this artist. In breaking family tradition, he created award- winning dolls in both categories and won the Prime Minister’s Award in 1960, at the age of 30.
NOTE: For more information on this artist go to our Browse & Learn section,https://mingeiarts.com/collections/artisan-woodworker-yusa-fukuju-1930-2001, as well as https://mingeiarts.com/collections/narugo-kei-family, affording you details about this style and artist.
Condition: Excellent condition for the piece is perfect, with no chipping, missing elements or loss of artwork/color which is beautifully defined. It retains a beautiful finish, with its original craftsmanship preserved. Museum-quality: meeting the standards of the collector of Yusa, Fukuju Kokeshi.
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Japanese Traditional Kokeshi | Narugo-Kei (Family)
Prefecture: Miyaka
Origin:
These are the popular “squeaking or crying child” dolls and are made of two pieces, with the head being attached to the body via a snap-in projection, allowing it to be turned, thus making the squeak. Naru is "sound or "cry," and ko is "child." Thus, naruko is "crying child," It's no surprise, then, that the Naruko kokeshi "cries" when her head is turned. They originally came from Narugo Onsen in Miyagi Prefecture and originated sometime in the Edo period when there were approximately 125 craftsmen producing this style. The Narugo kokeshi has been labeled the most sophisticated.
Collector's note – characteristics / painting style:
Narugo dolls are one of the most well-known families of Kokeshi and are defined by their straight-shaped body, narrowing slightly at the waist with beveled shoulders. Bangs set wide apart are the definitive feature of the head with side fringes, a single eyelid, and a cat nose. They also are very balanced, and typically have paintings of chrysanthemum, (Kiku), Iris (Ayame), or peony (Botan). Though these basically plain dolls are not as decorative as others of the Traditional school, their unique, flowing forms are stronger visually because of their inherent elegance.
Notable artists:
Oonuma, Jun, b. 1924
Oonuma Sinbei, Master
Izu Mamoru, b.1925
Izu Sadao, Master
Kakizawa Koretaka, b. 1930
Takahashi Morio, Master