Vintage Japanese Traditional Zao Kokeshi by Ishiyama, Sanshiro (1909-1993)
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.
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Japanese Traditional Kokeshi | Zao-Kei (Family)
Prefecture: Miyagi-Yamagata border
Origin:
Zao (Zao-Takayu) was a prosperous resort at the end of the 19th century, with four souvenir shops. However, no one was producing kokeshi for the shops, so craftsmen were hired who began competing with each other. They thus helped develop a distinctive Zao strain at the Atsumi Onsen, at the foot of Mt. Zao, on the Miyagi-Yamagata border. Eijiro Okazaki was the leader of this group, and the Onsen became the home of this traditional Kokeshi family.
Collector's note – characteristics/painting style:
These dolls, originating from, and having characteristics of, the Yamagata strain, are not always easy to identify. Facial features incorporate oversized heads and large, expressive eyes, with the Atsumi version having a long nose (naga-bana), much like the Hijiori and Tsuchiyu dolls, and hairstyles that show heavy use of ribbons on top of the head, with half-moon bangs and side tufts hanging into the face. Their thick waists are brightly painted in a variety of colorful motifs. The floral designs on Zao bodies include the more standard stacked, (or layered), chrysanthemum petals; bold, stylized cherry blossoms, peonies, and scattered sprays of small flowers. Most will also have colored banding at the neck and around the bases of the bodies.
Leading, Craftsmen:
Abe, Shinya, 1937, (Atsumi, Yamagata) - Master: Abe, Tsunekichi
Abe, Tsunekichi, Master 1904, (Atsumi)
Akiyama, Kazuo - No additional published information
Ariji, Shizuo, 1930, (Yamagata) - Master: Ishiyama, Sanshiro
Endo, Kozo, 1911, (Yamagata) - Masters: Wagatsuma, Katsunosuke and Yoshida, Jin-ichiro
Eijiro Okazaki - No additional published information
Ishiyama, Sanshiro, 1909, (Yamagata) - Master: Shinano, Ichiro and Sato, Masao
Ishizawa, Kazio, 1929, (Yamadera Yamagata) - Master: Ishiyama, Sanshiro
Okazaki, Ikuo, 1925, (Zao) - Master: Okazaki, Naoshi Omiya, Yasumitsu - No additional published information
Saito, Akira, 1927, (Zao) - Master: Saito, Matsusuke
Saito, Takeo - No additional published information
Umeki, Shuichi, 1929 - No additional published information