Vintage Sosaku Kokeshi entitled: “Fāsukai | Far Sky” by Kato, Hiroshi
Dimensions: 15-1/2”h
Kato-san’s tall and slender figures bring memories of very traditional women in Japan and were not meant to be sentimental, but to exemplify the relationship between the figure expressing serenity and stability The sumi-e’ brushwork of her decorative Kimono with a traditional forest/mountain motif and a mountain stream with boatman is intricately detailed in this very unique doll. She is wearing a head wrapped called a ‘Hachimaki’ which has a very decorative top element surrounded by black hair. The faces are extremely expressive with slanted head adding an unusual aspect to one of a series of seasonal dolls. Signed by the artist.
Condition: The piece is a very rare stylization of this form and is in perfect condition, as originally created with no fading or loss of color and consistent with age. The piece meets all the standards of collectible Folk Art.
NOTE: A little-known artist who specializes in tall, elegant dolls, Kato-san’s creations rarely come up for auction. His birthplace, dates, and studio are unknown. He was only actively producing Kokeshi in the 1960s.
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Artisan | Woodworker: Kato, Hiroshi | Active only in the 1960s
[no-bio]Collector's note – descriptive qualities, standard characteristics & ornamentation styles:
Kato-san’s slender and tall figures bring memories of very traditional women in Japan. In his dolls we observe a rather contemporary approach to the ‘Mage” hair design in both form and sumi-e’ brushwork, suggesting features as well as stylistic details relating to the general design of the Kimono and the black and gold obi. His faces are extremely expressive, with a partial covering of the face and tilted heads adding an unusual aspect to one series of dolls. Typical are the scenes from nature, (flowers, mountains).
Hiroshi's stylized versions of Heian noblewomen, from families of high rank, were one of his favorite subjects. Women enjoyed a certain aspect of freedom during the period and were well educated in music, poetry, art, fashion, and calligraphy, all part of a Heian Period woman's education.
Many of these women traveled incognito, (Oshinobi Dochi), and Hiroshi's creative dolls of the subject are extremely rare. He beautifully details their elongated faces and long hair which were common for ladies of this period, and they are typically wearing attire for travel: oversized hat and a heavy coat to ward off the chill.
Artist's Signature:
