Vintage Sosaku Kokeshi
Vintage Sosaku Kokeshi entitled: “Hatsune | A Lady” by Shouzan, Shido |1932- 1995
Shido, Shouzan
Age:1960s
Descriptive qualities& condition:
Dimensions: 19-1/2”h
Shouzan-san loved studying the use of combining different types of wood, (Paulownia, Beech, Cherry, and Persimmon) to gain the desired effect, and to give dimension to this piece. He also enjoyed creating slender, tall dolls to support the fact that they resemble the tall, thin trees seen throughout Japan.
Here we see a different type of headdress, one of which he called a ‘Tsunokakushi’, which is a wide hood type of design, topped with a large ‘Mage’. As in real life, the layering of clothing is shown through delicate carving techniques. This doll is wearing a double-layered kimono with a neckline that is cut lower and cut to expose the thin, exaggerated neck. The face on this doll is understated, with slanted eyes and a tiny red dot for a nose. The piece shows an outline of the name of the doll and his signature on the back which is mostly worn off from handling.
Condition: Excellent, perfect condition, and commensurate with age with wonderful workmanship, turning, and painted features. The piece meets all the standards of collectible Folk Art.
Artisan | Woodworker: Shido, Shouzan | 1932-1995
Origin:
Shido-san is considered by Kokeshi collectors and critics alike to be arguably the most influential artist in the world of Sosaku Kokeshi doll making. Shido-san’s main focus was depicting unadorned Northern girls in the traditional “Mino”, or Snow Coat, but he also produced tall, thin dolls, which were sparsely decorated. His keen sense of design, minimal use of color, and simple elegant shapes set him apart from his peers, making him one of the most collectible artists emerging from the creative period of the ‘60s. He is a winner of the Prime Minister’s Award, among many other awards.
Collector's note – descriptive qualities, standard characteristics & ornamentation styles:
Shido-san loved studying the use of combining different types of wood to gain the desired effect and to give dimension to his pieces. He also enjoyed creating slender, tall dolls to support the fact that they resemble the tall, thin trees seen throughout Japan. He incorporated a repetitive textural pattern called ‘Harmonic Chatter work’ to enhance the natural qualities of the wood on many of his works.
Shido-san particularly enjoyed the textural qualities of ‘Chattering’ on the rain/snow coat, (Minomushi), which is a favorite theme, executed with minimal painted ornamentation, with an emphasis on the natural wood. In general, it is said the Japanese culture is one of modesty and humility. Occasionally we see different types of headdress, one of which he called a ‘Tsunokakushi’, which is a wide headresses or hood, which covered elaborate hairstyles. We are told that the Japanese people regulate their behavior and response by reading faces and the eyes of others. Here, as well as elsewhere, you will see many examples of different characteristics of the eye is expressions. His most famous doll was called “mai”, a dancer, which was an elegant and slender doll created in 1970. This doll exhibited traditional hair design with an emphasis on a brightly colored “obi” which brings forth the best use of complex geometry to create traditional Japanese clothing elements.
Shido-san was a prolific artist/woodworker of Kokeshi dolls. We additionally see unusual subjects focused on Zen Buddhism and figures of Daruma, (Bodhidharma) of which most were made in a “roly-poly” type figure seen throughout festivals in Japan.
Artist's Signature:
