Vintage Japanese Traditional Yajiro Kokeshi entitled: Enlightenment by Katsushi, Ogura
Dimensions: 12-0” h
This extremely RARE and expressive Tougatta doll is a sophisticated representation of Buddhism, with beautiful graphics on the face and body of the doll. It is intriguing and meant to symbolize radiance in the Buddhist way of life. Here the artist utilized the design of black concentric circles on the top of the head called Janome. The basic Tsuchiyu, face shows one eyelid with an open eye, a tare-bana-shaped nose, (long nose), an indication of Buddha’s expressive mouth, and long side hair fringes. This Tsuchiyu utilizes Rokoru moyo style varying widths of horizontal line-work in black, and a neck that has a wide fashioned collar. This graphic is also seen on the bottom portion of the doll, with the center portion a negative space with interspersed, abstract graphic swirls of clouds throughout the head and body, symbolizing radiance. The doll is lathe-turned from one piece of Dogwood wood, (Hanamizuki). The piece has the acknowledgment on the base in beautiful script and signed by the Katsushi-san
To read more about this Family of Kokeshi makers go to:https://mingeiarts.com/collections/yajirou-kei-family
Condition: Outstanding, excellent, impressive, and beautiful. No chips, cracks, breaks, missing pieces, or restoration, and retains its original details and finish. The piece meets all the standards of the vintage collectible Traditional Tsuchiyu Kokeshi.
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Japanese Traditional Kokeshi | Yajirou-Kei (Family)
Prefecture: Miyagi
Origin:
The creators of these dolls hail from the small farming village of Yajirou-machi near Kamasaki Onsen in Miyagi Prefecture, once a farming village between two, tall mountains. The kiji-shi (woodworkers), divided their time between farming and wood-craft. Those who made kokeshi in their spare time sent their wives to the nearby Kamasaki Onsen to sell their work to tourist shops and through onsens.
Collector's note – characteristics/painting style:
The majority of this style has distinct waists and wider bases, making them very stable. Yajirou dolls are some of the most brightly painted of the traditional family set. Utilizing a veritable rainbow of colours, from the usual red and black to green, yellow, and even blue and purple, they are available in probably the widest range of shapes. The upper body usually has a hand-painted collar with horizontal stripes encircling the body, as in the Rokoru moyo style, and vertical stripes running below the waist to the base of the doll. However, Yajirou dolls can also be found with a series of chrysanthemum petals running down the front of the body, or a branch of plum blossoms as the only decoration. Some, also have a painted beret-like feature or a bun on their heads, similarly painted with a red center spot. Less common are Yajirou that have conical hats known as Suge-Gasa. Typically seen is one lid or double eyelids, cat or pick shaped nose. Yajirou kokeshi have been made from cherry wood, camellia, and maple, but the preferred wood is white dogwood, (mazuki).
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:
Satou Denki, b. 1909Satou Dennai, Master
Ishikawa Tokujiro, b. 1915
Niiyama Fukutaro, Master
Sato Tatsuro, b. 1928
Sato Imasaburo, Master
Hamatsu Heizaburo, b. 1933
Niiyama Sanai, MasterYajirou
Niiyama Yoshinori, b. 1960
Niiyama Yoshitaro, Grand Master