Vintage Sosaku Kokeshi Entitled: Bairin, (Plum Grove) by Miyajima, Muhitsu

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Dimensions: 7-0"h

For Muhitsu-san, the wood is most critical in his interpretation of the seasons and as with this doll, he incorporates the snow coat called ‘Mino’, which adds depth and character to his pieces. The wearing of a beautifully formed traditional Fuyu, (winter) Kasa, (Hat used In the Edo period, and in this case, the 1950s), is seen in many of his works. This was a kind of woven hat worn by Buddhists and Samurai called a Jingasa, which was an overly large bowl with a thick brim with carved grooves on the front panel of the hat, (later Japanese women hairstyles copied this look). Here he incorporates a plumb blossom rendered in black and being a seasonal fruit with subdued colored leaves in green and orange. As shown here he incorporates a simple sumi-e’ brushwork into his representation of faces, and uneven carved grooving gives ornamentation and texture to the figure. Miyajima-san works in a variety of beautiful woods, but as in this case, he used a heavy, dark-colored Enju wood, (Pagoda tree), for its rich colors and interesting grain. This doll is signed in script on the bottom.

Condition: Excellent, original condition, with no fading or loss of color and consistent with age and standards of collectible Folk Art. All details are perfect and as crafted.