Vintage Sosaku Kokeshi entitled:”Kiwi no Komorebi | Sunlight through Trees”” by Miyajima, Muhitsu (1929-)
Dimensions: 10-3/4”h
Miyajima was a multiple award winner and was awarded the prestigious Prime Minister’s Award in 1973. The doll presented here is the largest of this series of Kokeshi and has a simple form and function which is the main theme of Miyajima-san’s creations. He specifically was quoted as saying the “Forest provides the trees of life and the foundation of Kokeshi making”. This doll features an abstract rendition, and in this case of bamboo Sheaths and Nodal rings, executed using wood-burning techniques, which form the artistic basis for the motif on the body of this Kokeshi. This technique is meant to capture the essence of the forest in which each stroke of the wood-burning pen has meaning, and is to evoke emotion and beauty, that a viewer can see not only in each abstract rendition but also in the spaces in between, focusing on the ‘light through the trees’.
The doll's face is simple, with expressive, elongated narrow eyes and an abstract representation of hair and a bow on the top of the head. This Kokeshi is made of Cherry, (Sakura), affording the doll a natural color and grain in which the motif can remain prominent. After the turning and carving, the doll is lacquered and sealed with natural candle wax, (Rosoku no ro). A perfect doll for the collector of Miyajima’s work in the Japanese Kokeshi folk art genre. The piece has the title and the artist's signature on the bottom.
The piece was published in Sosaku Kokeshi: Celebrating the Major Artists of the Creative Movement in 2022. Additional Information: Access our Browse & Learn section, link: https://mingeiarts.com/collections/artisan-woodworker-miyajima-muhitsu-1929 to learn more about this award-winning Sosaku Kokeshi artist.
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. The doll is void of damage, cracks, breakage, or repairs. This doll meets all the standards of the collectible Japanese Sosaku Kokeshi by Miyamima, Muhitsu.
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Artisan | Woodworker: Miyajima, Muhitsu | 1929-
Origin:
Miyajima-san was born in Yonezawa City of Yamagata Prefecture, Japan, home of many Traditional Kokeshi makers. He began his career under the tutelage of Master Yamagata craftsman Kobayashi, Kichitaro, in the mid-to late 40s, and then switched to Sosaku doll making in the 1950s. His dolls have had a great influence on Creative, (Sosaku), doll makers since then. A multiple award winner, Miyajima-san won the prestigious Prime Minister’s Award in 1973.
Collector's note – descriptive qualities, standard characteristics & ornamentation styles:
Simple form and function is the theme to Miyajima-san’s creations. The wood is most critical in his interpretation of the seasons and often incorporates the snow coat called ‘Mino”, which adds depth and character to his pieces. The wearing of the traditional Fuyu Kasa, (hat), of the 1950s is seen on many of his works and was a kind of headcovering for Buddhists, which was overly large, in a bowl or mushroom shape, and was originally made from woven rice straw. Seasonal flowers, (Camellia), are often used along with Plum blossoms and tree branches, (see the two dolls at the top right named "Bairin or Plum Grove"). He typically incorporates sumi-e’ brush work into his representation of faces, and uneven carved grooving giving ornamentation and texture to the figure. Miyajima-san works in a variety of beautiful woods, but seems to prefer the heavy, dark colored Enju wood, (Pagoda tree), for it’s rich colors and interesting grain.
Artist's signature:
