Vintage Japanese Traditional Tougatta Kokeshi of Otafuku by Sato, Teruo (1919-)
Dimensions: 8-1/2” h
This is an extremely RARE, fun, and expressive Tougatta doll representing Otafuku, also known as Okame, who is considered to be the “goddess of mirth and sexuality”. She’s always there, waiting, with a smile and warmth in her heart, and is considered a mystic figure having roots in Japan’s distant past. Otafuku and Okame are different names for the same female figure.
This particular Tougatta doll has black hair on top, which is sculpted and frames her face, flowing under her chin. There is a long tuft of hair on the back of the head cascading down her back. This long tuft of hair has the purpose of being a perch for gods. This is based on what was known as the ‘YORISIRO’ phenomenon, and it is a very important Shinto concept for Buddhist women, it has long had social, religious, erotic, and psychological significance.
Otafuku has very expressive eyes, voluptuous lips, and a soft smile symbolizing peace and long life. She has red pudgy cheeks, a flat nose, and a wide smile on a red, welcoming mouth. The lower portion of her face has three wrinkles in her chin, indicating a worldly woman. She has two Urna marks on her forehead. On her Kimono are two abstracted chrysanthemums, (Kiku), in a very stylized design. The doll is titled and signed in script by Sato, Teruo.
To read more about this Family of Kokeshi makers go to: https://mingeiarts.com/collections/tougatta-kei-family
Condition: Excellent, meaning that the piece retains its original craft/workmanship, showing a wonderful-developed patina commensurate with age which suggests a degree of wear that corresponds to its vintage. The doll is void of damage, cracks, breakage, or repairs. This doll meets all the standards of the collectible Traditional Tougatta-kei Kokeshi.
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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