Vintage Japanese Yajirou Family ‘Ring Toss’ Toy by Oizumi, Kiyomi (1936-1980)
Dimensions: 6-1/4”h x 3-3/4”dia.
This wonderful and aesthetically exciting game come out of Shiroishi, Miyagi Prefecture by a Yajirou craftsman, and was considered an inventive children’s toy during the Meiji era to entertain and teach eye coordination. It is totally made of wood and expertly painted in colors of red, green, purple and unfinished dogwood (mazuki) from which the toy is made and decorated in the Rokoru mayo style. Firstly, it has a detailed Yajirou head on the top of what is referred to as the “tower”, that being a head with a beret-like feature with a red center spot as well as side hair fringes. The face shows a double eyelid, a cat shaped nose in which all features are done in miniature. The body sits on top of a tapered tower with colorful Rokoru mayo rings and is placed on a circular base having the same coloration and circular designs. As for the ring toss, there are five loose rings circling the base of the body. Literally carved from the same wood as the body, a very meticulous method! The treatment of this toy is referred to as ‘Yamiyo’ and based in the style of kokeshi dolls. The piece is signed on the bottom of the toy by Oizumi-san, studied under Master: Honda, Kametoshi, both being notable kiji-shi (woodworking artists) of the period who sold their creations at the Kamasaki Onsen to Japanese travelers.
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Condition: Pristine meaning that the piece retains its original craft/workmanship and functions as intended, showing a wonderful-developed patina and is void of damage, cracks, breakage, or repairs and meets all the standards of the collectible Vintage Traditional Yajirou Kokeshi Toys
Japanese Traditional Kokeshi
Yajirou-Kei (Family)
Prefecture: Miyagi
Origin:
This strain of Kokeshi is said to have been an offshoot of the Tougatta strain and is far less refined. That eventually developed into a unique style that remains today. 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 woodcraft. Those who made kokeshi in their spare time sent their wives to the nearby Kamasaki Onsen to sell their work to tourist shops and onsens.
Collector's note – characteristics/painting style:
The majority of this style has distinct waists, or (kubire), where the body tapers inward, with a wider, flared base similar to a kimono, thus making them very stable. 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. Yajirou dolls are some of the most brightly painted of the traditional family group. 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. 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 who have conical hats known as Suge-Gasa. Typically seen is one lid or double eyelids and a cat or pick-shaped nose. Yajirou kokeshi have been made from cherry wood, camellia, and maple, but the preferred wood is white dogwood, (Mizuki). And finally, both Yajirou and Tougutta dolls are sometimes created with loose rings circling the waists. Carved from the same wood as the body, which is a very meticulous method! This treatment is referred to as 'Yamiyo' style kokeshi.
Leading, Craftsmen:
Niiyama, Keimi, 1925, (Shirabu, Yamagata) - Master Niiyama, Keimi. No additional published information
Niiyama, Fukutaro, 1898-1965 - No additional published information
Niiyama Fukuo, 1922, (Yajiro Shironishi, Miyagi) - Master: Niiyama, Fukutaro. No additional published information
Niiyama, Hisaharu, 1942-2008 - No additional published information
Niiyama, Sanai (Master) - No additional published information
Oizumi, Kiyoni - No additional published information
Saito Masao, 1932, (Shiroishi, Miyagi) - Master: Sato, Tsugio. No additional published information
Sato Tatsuo, 1928-2009, (Yajiro Shiroishi , Miyagi) - Master: Sato, Imasaburo. No additional published information
Sato Yoshiaki, 1936, (Shiroishi Miyagi) - Master: Sato, Tatsuo. No additional published information
Sato, Koichi, 1936, (Shiroishi, Miyagi) - Master:Hamatsu, Heisaburo. No additional published information
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