Vintage, RARE Traditional Yajirou Kokeshi by Niiyama, Hisashiro
Dimensions: 12-0”h
This exceptional Yajirou Kokeshi by Niiyama (b.1942), who studied under Master Niiyama, Hisashi who are comes from a small farming village of Yajirou, near Kamasaki Onsen in Miyagi Prefecture. Because the villagers of Yajirou were primarily farmers, it wasn’t until after the mid-20th century that the crafting of Kokeshi dolls and selling them to the tourists became their main source of income. As a result, the great majority of Yajirou dolls are some of the newest of the ten families.
This beautifully finished doll is executed in Enju, (Pagoda), wood with black sumi-e’ graphics representing chrysanthemum petals running down the from of the body. The majority of this style have wider bases, making them very stable. The entire head is painted black in a circular pattern, with simulated hair and side fringes, and a face showing one lid eyelid, eye brows, a cat-shaped nose and a red dot for lips. The script signature of the artist with other details are on the bottom of the doll.
Condition: Excellent, original condition, with no fading or loss of color and consistent with age. The piece meets all the standards of collectible Folk Art.
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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