Vintage, Japanese Traditional Yajirou Kokeshi by Sato Masao (1932-) Age: Late, 1960s
Dimensions: 12-0” h
Extremely RARE Yajirou doll beautifully finished, utilizing traditional Yajirou family elements and techniques. It is executed with black ink in a sumi-e' style face. Under the intricately turned and fashioned neck is a wide lip, which transitions into the waist, and then into the lower body. The entire figure is delicately painted with varying gradated ‘Rokoru Moyo’, which are horizontal stripes encircling the figure. One of the exceptional aspects is the conical hat known as ‘Suge-Gasa’ which is less common and made by circular ‘Chatter work’ in a beautiful array of red colors as the center spot. It gives a wonderful, textural quality to its surface. The only indication of hair is the black, feathered bangs falling over the forehead, and black side hair fringes, which sit on the top of chrysanthemum petals. The face has single eyelids, expressive eyebrows, a faint pick-shaped nose, and a tiny mouth. The second exceptional element is the rainbow of colors of the three loose wood rings, part of the same turned wood. They are made separately, and then joined to the body. They are carved in place is an exceptional feat. And finally, the base of the doll incorporates the natural wood, with its attached bark, and is a natural part of the camellia wood, (Tsubaki no ki), from which it is made. The piece is signed in script on the bottom by the artist. Sato-san apprenticed with Master Sato, Tsugio of Shiroishi, Miyagi, Japan.
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 showing 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.
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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