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.

You can read more about this family in our BLOG by going to: https://mingeiarts.com/collections/yajirou-kei-family

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