Vintage Japanese Traditional Zao Kokeshi by Ishiyama, Sanshiro (1909-1993)

Sale price$165.00 Regular price$230.00
Save 28%

Dimensions: 12-1/2” h

Characteristics such as the shapes and facial features of the dolls are unique to each region where this Zao Kokeshi is made. This beautifully decorated doll is extremely unusual and carved from soft, white Birch, (Kabanoki), and entirely painted and decorated by hand. It has the characteristic oversized head, expressive eyes, and thick- scattered throughout the front of the Kimono. Roses, (akaibra), convey passion, and purple, (Murasaki), symbolize admiration. It has a colored ’Rokoru Moyo’ horizontal banding in red and green strips at the neck/shoulders, and red, variable stripes around the bases of the figure. The head and facial features include: black, feathered hair falling over the forehead with a small red dot in the center; the face has abstract flowers in red with side hair fringes framing its face. It has Futae-Mabuta, (double lid), a small Neko-Bana, (cat’s nose), and elongated horizontal lips with a happy, compassionate smile. Ishiyama-san is a Master of Mito Hiroshi who specializes in miniature kokeshi in Ejiko containers. The piece is titled and signed in script on the bottom by the artist. 

See additional writings on our website related to this subject: Under our Browse and Learn section, please refer to https://mingeiarts.com/collections/zao-kei-family for full details on the history and development of this style doll. NOTE: Our source of information is Ishiyama’s apprentice and understudy Mito Hiroshi, who tells us that this specific smile is Ishiyama personalized facial expression that he used on this style of doll. All other “typical” Zao faces with similar body motifs to his name are his student's work acknowledging his creation, and who further customized the doll's image. This explains the slight changes in the signature and notations on the bottom of those dolls.

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