Vintage Sosaku Kokeshi entitled Daruma by Suizan, Shinobu
Dimensions: 11-3/4”h
Offered is a Kokeshi representing Buddhist interpretations of delicate wood carvings called, ‘Harusame'. This figure has the image of the Daruma, possessing a unique character design to the nature of the material used, which gives contrast to the natural birch wood. The facial expression is one of a ‘song of celebration’ and having the ‘Urna’, which is a spiral or circular dot placed on the forehead of Buddhist images and figures as an auspicious mark. Suizan-san is a unique artist whose work is unusual and seldom seen, making these dolls quite rare. The doll is signed in the script by the artist on the bottom.
Condition: Excellent meaning that the piece retains its original craft/workmanship showing a wonderful-developed patina commensurate which suggests a degree of wear that corresponds to its vintage. It is void of damage, cracks, breakage, or repairs and meets all the standards of the collectible Sosaku Kokeshi.
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Artisan
Woodworker: Suizan, Shinobu (Yokusan, Shizan)
Biographical History:
Creative Kokeshi Transitional artist Suizan is known to be from the Tohoku region, but there is no other information found on this artist. Some of his Kokeshi are similar to the Traditional Tougatta-style dolls. His style of carving is called Harusame-bori. As collectors, we felt it was most important to represent all Sosaku Kokeshi artists, whether or not each artist has a written account of his/her life. We show the diversity of cultural values and the creative work produced by a multitude of artists.
In researching old writings through articles and books that remain, it is evident that the Kokeshi Craftsperson not only created beautiful forms as toys, but also kept alive cultural values, customs, and fashion through the extensive representations of Kokeshi dolls. The beauty is in the doll and not the signatures, for most masters never signed their dolls. Later they named the dolls, but only when Westerners insisted on signatures because they did not know the artists, so the carvers began to sign their works, for the carvers wanted to promote sales to make a living, during the seasons that did not provide an environment to continue their otherwise daily work.
Collector's note – descriptive qualities, standard characteristics & ornamentation styles:
Separating the subject from the background gives solidity and definition, which supports the carving on his lathe-turned dolls. Suizan works only in Kabanoki, (Birch) or Mizuki, (Dogwood), and never paints any of his dolls. Images range from Noh theatre images, Daruma, (folk diety), the devil, chrysanthemum, and autumn flowers. He often carves the kanji for ‘Patience” into his pieces. He is a unique artist whose work is unusual and seldom seen, and is one of only three artists who do not paint their dolls.
Explore & Learn More about Woodworker: Suizan, Shinobu (Yokusan, Shizan)