Vintage Japanese Traditional Tsugaru ‘Daruma’ Kokeshi by Mori, Hidetaro ( 1895-1986)

Dimensions: 9-1/2” h

This Rare Daruma Kokeshi in slender doll form is difficult to find, primarily because most Daruma dolls are seen as the ‘roly-poly’ type and this motif was introduced by More-san early in his career when he became focused on Daruma. The face of Daruma is very graphically rendered on the lower half of this body and dominates the front along with red and black stripes, (Rokuro Moyo), below the neck, the center, and at the base of the doll. This doll has a round chest, thin waist, and cone-shaped lower body. The face of this doll is quite unusual in that this Tsuchiyu face shows a very expressive one-eye lid and open eyes, a ‘Maru-Bata’ round nose, a smiling expression in her eyes, and a red mouth. One of the most distinguishing features of this doll is that its hair is in a ‘bob’ styling with a ‘chignon’, (topknot), with a red circle on the top.  The hair is solid black, with feathered brush strokes visible on the nap of the back of her hair. The piece is identified with the name of the Onsen and signed on the bottom of the doll. 

This strain and type of Kokeshi is mainly made in the towns of Nuruyu and Omani in Aomori-ken where More, Hidetaro studied under Mori, Motokichi (1895-). For More Information on this Family see: (https://mingeiarts.com/collections/tsugaru-kei-family). 

Condition: Excellent meaning that the piece retains its original craft/workmanship, and shows a wonderful-developed patina commensurate with its age. It is void of damage, cracks, breakage, or repairs, and meets all the standards of the collectible Traditional Tsugaru Kokeshi.