Vintage Japanese Yajirou Ejiko Baby | Simulated Wood Basket | Niiyama, Fukuo (1922-1987)
Dimensions: 4-1/2”h x 4-0”dia.
The Ejiko’s origin is derived from a folk toy that is called an Izume.ko Doll, (Izume.Ko means “Isume baby”) dates from the early 1910s and which comes from Tsuruoka, of the Yamagata prefecture. The toy is based on an Isume, a woven basket but in this case, it is simulated in wood with the baby, which is a spinning top sitting inside. Out of the earlier prototypes arose the Ejiko doll, which had its beginnings in the 1920s. NIIYAMA, Fukuo(1922-1987) in Miyagi prefecture of Tohoku, Japan. He was born as the first son of Niiyama, Fukutaro (1897-1965), who was a kokeshi craftsman in Yajiro of Miyagi prefecture. He started learning woodwork in 1935 and started making kokeshi dolls in 1938.
The doll is not removable but the head and shoulders move freely within this Ejiko showing only the upper body of the body with circular designs in multiple colors on its body and head with Yajirou-Kei styling. Firstly, the head is painted with a beret-like feature or a bun on their heads, painted with multiple colors and sizes of circles in the center and hair on the sides of its skull. It has side hair fringes with double eyelids and a pick-shaped nose. The body of the container has Rokoru moyo horizontal strips in red and purple encircling the lower portion of the body. The piece is signed and titled by the artist on the bottom of the container.
You can read more about Ejiko Kokeshi Toys in our BLOG by going to: https://mingeiarts.com/collections/ejiko-izume-ko-nemariko and https://mingeiarts.com/collections/yajirou-kei-family.
Condition: Excellent meaning the piece is perfect, totally original, and complete and functions as intended. No cracks, no breaks, and no missing pieces, and retains its wonderful presence and is previously protected and treasured by the previous owner. This artifact meets all the standards of the collectible Vintage Kokeshi toys and tops and without question a unique treasure for the Japanese Ejiko and toy collector.
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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