Vintage Sosaku Kokeshi entitled: “Kantsubaki | Winter Camellia” by Tanaka, Harumasa
Dimensions: 7-1/4”h
This is a 1965 award-winning doll and a very rare, possibly one-off creation since no others have been recorded or placed on the market. It is one of the only abstract and artistically executed Sosaku Kokeshi that has won numerous awards at the 12th Annual All-Nippon Japan Kokeshi Competition.
One must look closely to see that the slanted portion of the face incorporates a face with eyes humbly casting downward, and a suggestion of bangs running across the top of the head, contrasting to the abstractness of the red Camellia used to define the front of the Kimono. Other than the elaborately painted front portion, (scallop-edged head and body form), of this doll, the un-ornamented portions of the figure are finished in black lacquer and focused on all the beautiful work on the front of the doll. There is an old type of circular detailed inscription in Kanji and a script signature identifying the artist on the bottom of the doll.
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-tanaka-harumasa.
Condition: Excellent meaning that the piece retains its original craft/workmanship showing a wonderfully developed patina commensurate with age which suggests a degree of wear that corresponds to its vintage and is void of damage, cracks, breakage, or repairs. This doll meets all the standards of the collectible Japanese Sosaku Kokeshi by Tanaka, Harumasa.
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Artisan | Woodworker: Tanaka, Harumasa
Origin:
Tanaka-san is acknowledged as a leading member of the Sosaku movement in the 1950s-60s, and is a multiple award winner. His doll “Dojo”, (Young Lady), won the Prime Minister’s Award in 1965 at the 12th Annual All Nippon Japan Kokeshi Competition. He additionally was recognized with his creation entitled: Kantsubaki, (Winter Camellia).
Collector's note – descriptive qualities, standard characteristics & ornamentation styles:
Tanaka beautifully illustrates the accomplished use of form and un-ornamented surface. The artist uses wood to express feeling, related to the casual hair treatment and abstract, almost 1920s treatment of her haori. Modern thinking young girls loved these abstract flamboyant designs, which transformed their lives and connected them to the West. The most unusual aspect of course is the hair design style, which is uniform in each piece and adds elegance to his interpretation of the figure. His abstract motifs are typically flowers, i.e., poppy in colored lacquer, or the piece is left totally unadorned and relies solely on the carved form. The eyes are most expressive with a simple red dot to express the nose.
Artist's Signature:
