Vintage Japanese Traditional Yajirou Kokeshi by Endo, Tsutomo
Dimensions: 12-0” h
Extremely RARE Yajirou doll never seen on the internet or at auctions. This exceptionally, beautiful-finished doll utilizes traditional Yajirou family elements and techniques. They are executed with black ink in a sumi-e’ style drawing of abstracted chrysanthemum petals, appearing like the Japanese image of the ‘land of the rising sun’, (Asahi), in the center, under the collar as well as on the base of the figure. Below the beautiful, fashioned neck is a wide lip transition tapering into the garment. The entire figure is delicately painted with varying, faint gradated ‘Rokoru Moyo’ horizontal stripes encircling the figure, and the same type of lines in black, just under its collar and at the base. The hair of the doll is black with feathered bangs falling over the forehead, and small side fringes. The face has single eyelids, expressive eyebrows, a faint pick-shaped nose, and a tiny mouth. The piece is signed in script on the bottom by the artist. Note: There is no biographical information published on this artist.
See additional writings on our website related to this subject: Under our Browse and Learn section, please refer to https://mingeiarts.com/collections/yajirou-kei-family for full details on the history and development of this style doll.
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 Yajirou Family dolls.
Japanese Traditional Kokeshi
Yajirou-Kei (Family)
Prefecture: Miyagi
Origin:
This strain of Kokeshi is said to have been an offshoot of the Tougatta strain and is far less refined. That eventually developed into a unique style that remains today. 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 woodcraft. Those who made kokeshi in their spare time sent their wives to the nearby Kamasaki Onsen to sell their work to tourist shops and onsens.
Collector's note – characteristics/painting style:
The majority of this style has distinct waists, or (kubire), where the body tapers inward, with a wider, flared base similar to a kimono, thus making them very stable. 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. Yajirou dolls are some of the most brightly painted of the traditional family group. 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. 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 who have conical hats known as Suge-Gasa. Typically seen is one lid or double eyelids and a cat or pick-shaped nose. Yajirou kokeshi have been made from cherry wood, camellia, and maple, but the preferred wood is white dogwood, (Mizuki). And finally, both Yajirou and Tougutta dolls are sometimes created with loose rings circling the waists. Carved from the same wood as the body, which is a very meticulous method! This treatment is referred to as 'Yamiyo' style kokeshi.
Leading, Craftsmen:
Niiyama, Keimi, 1925, (Shirabu, Yamagata) - Master Niiyama, Keimi
Niiyama, Fukutaro, 1898-1965 - No additional published information
Niiyama Fukuo, 1922, (Yajiro Shironishi, Miyagi) - Master: Niiyama, Fukutaro
Niiyama, Hisaharu, 1942-2008 - No additional published information
Niiyama, Sanai (Master) - No additional published information
Oizumi, Kiyoni - No additional published information
Saito Masao, 1932, (Shiroishi, Miyagi) - Master: Sato, Tsugio
Sato Tatsuo, 1928-2009, (Yajiro Shiroishi , Miyagi) - Master: Sato, Imasaburo
Sato Yoshiaki, 1936, (Shiroishi Miyagi) - Master: Sato, Tatsuo
Sato, Koichi, 1936, (Shiroishi, Miyagi) - Master:Hamatsu, Heisaburo
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