Vintage Japanese Traditional Tougatta Kokeshi of Otafuku, (Okame) by Sato, Oshizo (1889-)
Dimensions: 14-1/2” h
This Tougatta doll is extremely RARE and is by a Tougatta carver named Sato Oshizo, who studied with Masters Sato, Bunroku, with the oldest Kokeshi family of the Traditional school. This is an extremely unusual Kokeshi representing Otafuku, also known as Okame, who is considered the “Joy of Japan”. In shrines, temples, and homes throughout Japan, you are likely to encounter the plump, smiling image of Otakfku, (Okame). She’s always there, waiting, with a smile and warmth in her heart. She is considered a mystic figure having roots in Japan’s distant past. Otafuku and Okame represent different names for the same female figure. Okame is one of the seven lucky Gods of Japan.
This particular Tougatta doll has black hair covering the top of her head, with bangs pulled aside at the forehead, two Urna marks on the forehead, and two side fringes framing her face. She has twinkling, very expressive thin narrow eyes, a cat-type nose, and a happy smile. Under her red cheeks and chin is one large chrysanthemum, (Kiku), in a very stylized design. There is a circular-style painting known as Rokoru Moyo, which is done as the doll is turned on the lathe on the upper portion of her body, with three smaller chrysanthemums, and tall green grasses on the lower portion with again, Rokoru Mayo colored horizontal rings beneath. The doll is signed in script on the back of the doll by the artist.
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.
Japanese Traditional Kokeshi
Tougatta-Kei (Family)
Prefecture: Miyagi
Origin:
Tougatta dolls are considered the oldest family members of the Traditional school. They originated in the Tougatta Onsen in the Miyagi Prefecture and were subsequently produced at Aone Onsen and the cities of Sendai and Izumi. In the 1960s, Togatta craftsmen founded the Tougatta Kiji Union, a cooperative that gained the rights for reserved wood use from the Japanese Ministry of Forestry. Collectors easily find the Tougatta style in an interesting range of variations.
Collector's note – characteristics/painting style:
Tougatta dolls 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. The head is a squeeze-in type, and it is covered with a painting of a chrysanthemum. Most Tougatta dolls have split bangs (Hachi), with side fringes, crescent-shaped double-lidded eyes (many of which have arched brows), and a split nose or cat-type nose. Several have paintings of chrysanthemums (Kiku), plums (Ume), and irises (Ayame), usually in very stylized designs. The dolls decorated with plum branches and blossoms are associated with Aone Onsen. There is also a group that has ‘banded’ bodies primarily in red with some green. These are decorated in a circular-style painting known as Rokoru Moyo, which is done as the doll is turned on the lathe. The most collectible type is the Tougatta Mokuma style, in which the body or kimono is intricately painted with a detailed and variable wood grain pattern.
NOTE: The rare Tougatta Yamiyo dolls are created with loose rings circling the waists. Carved from the same wood as the body- it is a very meticulous method! It is also seen on Yajirou and Tsuchiyu dolls, though just as rare.
Leading Craftsmen:
Agatsuma, Shozo, 1932- No additional published information
Saito, Ryosuke, 1925-2015 - No additional published information
Sato Fumio, 1923-1986. Lineage: Tougatta lineage Master: Sato Bunsuke Disciples: Sato Hidehiro / Kobayashi Sadao / Ohata Hideo. Born in Togatta-Shinchi as the eldest son of Sato Ushizo and Tamayo, woodworkers in Togatta-Shinchi. He trained in woodworking under Sato Bunsuke. In 1940 Sato-san learned how to turn kokeshi dolls and toys. Fumio was said to have both the Bunsuke and Ushizo characters inside him and was always caught in a conflict between his two mentors from the Tougatta and Hijiori families.
Sato, Bunkichi, 1922-2008 - No additional published information
Sato, Kouichi - No additional published information
Sato, Masairo, 1938- No additional published information
Sato, Nirio, 1948, (Tougatta, Miyagi) - Master: Sato, Teruo
Sato, Teruo, 1919 - (Tougatta) -Master: Sato Seisuke
Sato, Tomio - No additional published information
Sato, Yoshiaki, (Tougatta, Miyagi) - Master: Sato, Teruo
Sato, Ushizo , Master - (Tougatta, Miyagi Spa)
Nagao, Masayoshi, 1931-2001, (Sendai, Miyagi) - Master: Sato, Mamoru
Wagamatsu, Yoshio, 1932 (Aone, Miyagi) - Master: Wagatsuma, Kichisuke
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