Vintage Sosaku Kokeshi entitled “Kantsubaki | Camellia Girl” by Takamizawa, Kazuo (1927-)
Dimensions: 6-3/4”h
This lovely doll is the largest in this series and celebrates the Winter Camellia while retaining the wonderful character of the Enju wood. The hair decoration, topped with a bold ‘Mage’, complements the long, incised Bangs, (‘Bob’) treatment. The face has simple eye details with a small red nose. The figure is carved and burned, with the Camellias delicately highlighted in black pigment. The doll is unsigned.
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: Takamizawa, Kazuo
1927
Biographical History:
Takamizawa-san began making Sosaku Kokeshi in 1948 having lived in Takasaki City, in Gunma Prefecture, and opened his studio considered the center of modern Creative Kokeshi doll making. There is no further information on Kazuo but as historians and collectors we felt it was most important to represent all Sosaku Kokeshi artists, whether or not the artist has a written account of his or her life. Each shows the diversity of this cultural specialization and the creative work produced by this artist. Since 1971, his dolls have received numerous awards including the Prime Minister’s Prize when a doll named Akane, (included in the images of his works) was recognized for his accomplishment. In 1983, Kazoo was elected a representative of the Gunma Kokeshi Artistic Hall of Fame.
Collector's note – descriptive qualities, standard characteristics & ornamentation styles:
His early 1950-60 dolls were left undecorated except for minimal wood burning and incising of camellia blossoms on Enju wood, (Pagoda tree) which he dearly loved because of the wood graining giving dimension to his dolls as well as a rich, deep color. He began creating more colorful, brightly decorated dolls in the 1970’s. As with most of his dolls, the hair adds further detail through the lathe-turned form, carved and stained. Additionally, on several dolls that were short and tall, he added a classic black hair treatment with a ‘bob’, (Mage), as a separate piece. His designs can be delicately rendered in black pigment or thickly painted white blossoms floating on the body, adding a beautiful seasonal effect to the body.
Explore & Learn More about Woodworker: Takamizawa, Kazuo