Vintage Sosaku Kokeshi entitled: ‘Henso shōjo | Braided Girl’ by Ishihara Hideo (1925-1999)
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Dimensions: 12-0"h
Offered is one of Ishihara’s most creative Kokeshi represent representing one of a series of “pigtail/Braid” dolls. This doll emphasizes the 'Braid', which symbolizes innocence. This is one of a diversity of interesting forms created by this artist showing a unique interpretation that makes up the “Braid and Pigtails”, all hand-formed using Dogwood, (Hanamizuki). The body is smooth in texture emphasizing the natural wood and body form. Her face is very expressive and slightly tilted which all elements define the figure. The piece has Ishihara-sans signature on the bottom.
Ishihara began making Sosaku Kokeshi, and in ten years (1959-1969) while overcoming an illness from which he eventually died, and received more than 60 awards, including the highest honor, the Prime Minister’s Award.
Condition: Mint means that the piece retains its original craft/workmanship showing a wonderful-developed patina commensurate which suggests no 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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Our antique/vintage pieces are identified/described and professionally photographed, and considered, “as is”, therefore all sales are final. Read our full refund and return policy.
Artisan | Woodworker: Ishihara, Hideo | 1925 - 1999
Biographical History:
Hideo graduated from Tohoku University with a degree in science. His grandfather was Iwataro Onuma, the Kokeshi artist credited with originating Naruto Kokeshi, perhaps the most famous style or strain of traditional Kokeshi types. Upon recovering from his illness, he moved to Sendai and began making Sosaku Kokeshi, and in ten years (1959-1969). During his medical treatment, he studied painting under Genichiro Inokuma. He lost interest in the traditional Kokeshi forms for he felt they were stagnating by family standards, and became an avid proponent of Sosaku Kokeshi allowing him the artistic freedom to experiment with various designs and forms. In 1964, he organized the Poetic Craft Exhibition and received more than sixty awards, including the highest honor, the Prime Minister’s Award. He was introduced to the twenty-three countries in Europe and America by NHK. He has sponsored 30 exhibitions in Japan including those at Matsuzakaya Nagoya and Ginza, and four exhibitions in overseas countries. He was one of the founders of the NKAHA, (Nippon Kokeshi Artistic Handicraft Association).
Collector's note – descriptive qualities, standard characteristics & ornamentation styles:
Ishihara-san’s dolls are based on many motifs found in nature and textile design. He loves portraying both young and old characters with differing hairstyles, (traditional and 1950s era). He illustrates numerous kimono styles in both painted form and carving and utilizes simple graphic treatment to emphasize the strong character of his dolls, which bring out the true nature of the wood materials through manipulation of the turned and carved wood. His dolls are always finished in a simple wax coating. It is also not unusual to see Hideo utilize sumi-e’ drawing of faces that have both the ‘one-stroke eye treatments, (Hitofude-me), as well as a variation of expressive renditions.