Vintage Sosaku Kokeshi entitled: “Dento-tekina josie | Traditional Lady” by Yamanaka, Sanpei (1926-2012)

Sold

Dimensions: 18-0”h

This exceptionally tall and wonderful Kokeshi incorporates a delicate painting of a soft palette of watercolor rings in the ‘Rokuro moyo’ style that acts as surface decoration, encircling the entire figure. Her compassionate face, with a red “dot” nose, is imbued with a quality of peacefulness and is carved as a separate element in beautiful proportions. Her hair is represented traditionally, incorporating the ‘Mage’ hairstyle, with long hair on both sides of her face. There is an inscription on the bottom identifying the piece made by Yamanaka-san.

Born in Yonezawa, Yamagata Prefecture, Japan, and a graduate of the Textile Engineering School, he is a member of the Japan Kokeshi Crafts Association and an avid photographer. Yamanaka Sansei won 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: Very good, meaning that the piece retains its original craft/workmanship showing a wonderfully developed patina commensurate with age, which suggests it corresponds to its vintage. The doll is void of damage, cracks, or breakage other than a knot in the wood. This doll meets all the collectible Japanese Sosaku Kokeshi standards by Yamanaka, Sanpei.