Vintage Sosaku Kokeshi entitled: “Kasuri | Ikat” by Sato, Bunkichi (1922-2008)
Dimensions: 9-1/2”h
Sato Bunkichi’s dolls are easily recognized because of the form as well as the representation of their unique motif, but very rare and hard to find, for few were made by this artist. This tall Kokeshi has two features that are unique and unusual to this doll: Sumi-e’ painting fully detailing an elongated and tapered head on a slender body, and the ‘Ikat’ motif incorporated into the body of the garment. The word ‘Ikat’ comes from the Malaysian word ‘to tie’ fabric. The Japanese learned about this type of printing from the Dutch traders in the early 18th century.
A piece of Cherry, (Sakura) wood has been used to create this lathe-turned form. The head slightly incorporates a ‘Mage’ or topknot with black hair, as well as contemporary hair showing side fringes around the face and back of the head, horizontal eyes, and arched eyebrows. This is the largest of this series of Kokeshi. The doll is signed on the bottom by the artist.
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-sato-bunkichi-1922-2008.
Condition: Pristine, 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 Sato, Bunkichi.
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Artisan | Woodworker: Sato, Bunkichi | 1922-2008
Origin:
Born in Tendo, Yamagata Prefecture, to a family of traditional Tougatta doll makers. Bunkichi did his early training under Master Tougatta artist Sato, Ushizo. He moved to Matsushima City, in Miyagi, and began creating Sosaku dolls, using a very traditional Ikat patterning for his dolls.
Collector's note – descriptive qualities, standard characteristics & ornamentation styles:
Due to the smaller head shape than normally seen, Sato Bunkichi’s dolls are easily recognized, but very rare and hard to find. The word ‘Ikat’ comes from the Malaysian word ‘to tie’, because the loose threads are tied into bundles using grasses or wax-treated cotton to specify where the dye is able to sink in and color the thread. This technique developed independently across many different cultures. Some Ikat emphasizes precision, where it is difficult to distinguish it from block printing. The Japanese learned about this type of printing from the Dutch traders in the early 18th century. Here the artist masterfully incorporates this motif onto the bodies of these simple figures.
Artist's signature:
