Vintage Pair of Sosaku Kokeshi entitled: “Dōjinai shimai | Unperturbed Sisters ” by Yamanaka, Sanpei (1926-2012
Dimensions: 4-1/2”h x 4-1/4”dia; 3-3/4”h x 3-1/2”dia.
Offered are a rare and old version of this form of Kokeshi by Yamanaka-san. Simplicity is so much more, when it celebrates the plain and the pure, just like these interpretations of children portrayed in this charming set. They, of course, are styled to imitate the chestnut, with their small pointed heads and childlike faces peering out at the world. Both play off of the natural characteristics of the wood, simply lathe-turned, relying on the wonderful texture and medium undertones of reddish shade of brown colorations.
The Japanese chestnut, ‘Kuri’, symbolizes the coming of the fall season in Japan. Yakiguri, (roasted chestnuts), can be found in street stands, markets, and at festivals. The largest doll has a faint Yamanaka signature which mostly has rubbed off over the years. The other has no signature which signifies that they were made as a pair by the artist.
Yamanaka-san received 20 awards for his Kokeshi including the prestigious “Prime Minister” award in 1979. The piece was published in Sosaku Kokeshi: Celebrating the Major Artists of the Creative Movement in 2022. For more information on this artist go to the following link: https://mingeiarts.com/collections/artisan-woodworker-yamanaka-sanpei-1926.
Condition: Excellent, meaning that the piece retains its original craft/workmanship showing a wonderfully developed patina commensurate with age. Both are void of damage, cracks, or breakage. This doll meets all the collectible Japanese Sosaku Kokeshi standards by Yamanaka, Sanpei.
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Artisan | Woodworker: Yamanaka, Sanpei | 1926-
Origin:
Born in Yonezawa, Yamagata Prefecture, Yamanaka-san began his artistic career as a photographer, after majoring in chemistry. However, rather than develop a career in Traditional Yamagata doll making, Yamanaka-san used his art background to join the Sosaku Kokeshi movement. A multiple award winner, he won the Ministry of Education Award at the all Nippon Modern Kokeshi Exhibition in 1979.
Collector's note – descriptive qualities, standard characteristics & ornamentation styles:
Yamanaka-san creates wonderfully painted and decorated dolls in many forms and shapes. He may utilize a palette of soft watercolor rings in the Rokuro-moyo manner, to create a suggestion of a rainbow, because in Buddhism, the rainbow is “the highest state achievable before attaining Nirvana, where individual desire and consciousness are sublimated”. On numerous occasions, Yamanaka adds painted flowers to add to the overall dimension of the garment that it is representing. This is not to say that he does not enjoy the natural qualities of wood. Controlled carving adds textures that are neat, random, and sometimes repetitive, and provides decoration to his dolls. The carving contrasts nicely with the natural grain of the wood. Dolls portray wonderful traditional hairstyles through the use of “chattering’ and controlled carving. His head and facial designs are most expressive, particularly with figures of children.
Artist's Signature:
