Vintage Japanese Tsuchiyu Himi-Daruma Wood Figure | Takahashi, Toru | Female Daruma Doll
Dimensions: 2-1/8”h x 1-6/8” dia.
Tsuchiyu Family dolls originated in the 1840s at Tsuchiyu Onsen in Fukushima Prefecture, conceived by Sakuma, Kamegoro, a kiji-shi (wood carver), who had made various wood items for visitors to the Tsuchiyu Onsen.
Offered is a beautifully detailed Hime-Daruma, (who represents the legendary Empress Jingū Kogō who had a special connection with Matsuyama, the headquarters of an important warrior clan during Japan's feudal era, (1185–1867) who supposedly conquered Korea. Most of these small figures were made to be carried while traveling and are lathe-turned from one piece of Pauwlonia wood. Starting with the top of her head there are black concentric circles on the top called Janome. The innermost circle of the design is colorless. Her eyes are called futae-mabuta, (double lid), and her nose called tare-bana, (long nose). Her face is framed with bangs and side hair fringes that are in black. On the body there are two horizontal lines drawn in red that frame red flowers encircling the body. The piece is signed on the bottom by Takahashi-san.
Condition: Excellent vintage condition and commensurate with age. Rarely found carving and perfect for the collector of Japanese religious folk art.
Japanese Traditional Kokeshi
Tsuchiyu-Kei (Family)
Prefecture: Fukushima
Origin:
Tsuchiyu Family dolls originated in the 1840s at Tsuchiyu Onsen in Fukushima Prefecture, by the work of Sakuma Kamegoro, a kiji-shi who had made various wood items for visitors to the Tsuchiyu Onsen.
Collector's note – characteristics/painting style:
These dolls come in two types: one with a slightly cone-shaped body widening towards the base; and one with a columnar body, tapering where the neck would be. The latter style is also known as the Rokuro Moyo style of circular painting. Artists of this type are famous for being the most accomplished in the circular style of painting, as they take it several steps further by either reversing the line at some point or by zig-zagging the lines periodically. Both add a dynamic element to the dolls.
The design of black, (occasionally purple or green), concentric circles on the top of the head are called Janome. This is known as the ‘snake eye design and is also commonly seen on the tops of paper and lacquered umbrellas (Kasa). The innermost circle of the head is usually colorless. Together with a red bow and a loop on the head, (kase), it is one major characteristic of the Tsuchiyu Kokeshi, along with hairstyles with tufts and bangs. The patterns of the body used to be simple black lines but the lines are drawn in different colors in later models. Some dolls even have patterns of irises and peony flowers between the lines. Most have eyes called futae-mabuta, (double lid), and noses called marubana, (round nose), and tare-bana, (long nose). A few dolls have conspicuously large eyes and noses with blushes around the eyes, similar to the Nakanosawa group.
Leading, Craftsmen:
Abe, Hiroshi, 1998, (Tsuchiyu, Fukushima) - Master: Abe, Kinzo. No additional published information
Abe, Kazue, 1937-2017 - No additional published information
Muramoto, Fumio, 1931-1999 - No additional published information
Namiya, Masao, 1921-2008 - No additional published information
Nishiyama, Kenichi, 1920-2003, (Tsuchiyu, Fukushima) - Master Nishiyama, Katsuji. No additional published information
Obata, Toshio, 1932—2004. Tsuchiyu Lineage. Master Tokumatsu Obata. The eldest son of woodworkers Fukumatsu Obata and Chiyo in Okitama-cho, Fukushima City, Fukushima Prefecture. In 1950, at the age of 18, he began training in woodwork under his father Fukumatsu, and began making wood products to order, but at first, he made many new types of woodwork and also received orders from Tokyo. In 1956, he began making old-style Kokeshi dolls, and made Kokeshi dolls together with his wife Natsuko. He was introduced as the creator in the 1958 edition of the Kokeshi Guide, along with photos of the Kokeshi dolls. He focused on making Kokeshi dolls most around 1960. No additional published information
Ouchi, Ichiji, 1909, (Take, Fukushima) - Master: Ouchi, Kesakichi. No additional published information
Saito, Tokuju, 1926-2021 - Tsuchiyu Lineage. Master: Yamamoto Chisato/Iwaoto Yoshizo. The second son of Shigeru Saito and Fujie, who ran a merchant's inn in Toyoshima, Nishiaizu-cho, Yama-gun, Fukushima Prefecture. In 1948, he found some relief and worked as a self-taught fashion designer and began making souvenir Kokeshi dolls in 1955. In 1956, he moved his place of work to Aizuwakamatsu and received an Encouragement Award at the Fukushima Prefecture Souvenirs Competition and continued making Kokeshi throughout his career. No additional published information
Sato, Chushichi, 1917, (Tsuchiyu, Fukushima) - Master: Sato, Sashima. No additional published information
Sato, Hiromichi, 1930- Master - No additional published information
Sato, Zenji, 1924-1985 - No additional published information
Sakuma, Taichi 1900-1974 - No additional published information
Takahashi, Chuzo, 1893-1981 - No additional published information
Takahashi, Yoshitake, 1927-1995 - No additional published information
Tokunaga, Shinichi - No additional published information
Watanabe, Chuzo, 1921-2008 - No additional published information
Watanabe, Kazuo, 1940-2005 - No additional published information
Watanabe, Sadami 1917-1994 - No additional published information
Watanabe, Hitoshi, 1923, (Tsuchiyu, Fukushima) Master: Sato, Himomichi. No additional published information
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