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.
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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