Vintage Sosaku Kokeshi entitled: “Michi noku | Snow Country” by Aida, Seihou
Dimensions: 11-0”h
This wooden creation is beautifully constructed in three parts: the head, the lower body, and the ‘Hanten’, which unites and surrounds the other two elements. The entire body of the figure celebrates the wood’s natural qualities and coloration, giving depth and a three- dimensional aspect to the form. The natural simply painted work details the head, face, and hair with a faint red bow. Side-hair fringes with red bows give a human interpretation and expression to this young girls figure. There is an impressed stamp of the artist on the bottom of the doll.
Condition: Very good original condition, with a hairline crack on the top of the head which happened while it was being turned, and has not changed. It was repaired by the artist and does not effect the quality of the doll. Its uniqueness makes this doll very collectible to complement ones collection of Sosaku Kokeshi.
Return Policy
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: Aida, Seihou | 1926-1998
Biographical History:
Aida-san, (a.k.a. Harumine), is a leading Sosaku Kokeshi artist who has won many awards since he began creating Kokeshi in 1947 and has produced award-winning dolls from 1962-1974. Aida was born in Yonezawa City, Yamagata Prefecture in the first year of the Showa era. Along with the Prime Minister’s Award, he also won top awards in the Modern Kokeshi Academy in 1972-74; the Minister of Education Encouragement Price at the National Modern Kokeshi Exhibition in 1974; and an award in 1993 at the Special Kokeshi Federation Anniversary Exhibition. He is acknowledged as one of the leading early artists in the Sosaku movement. His eldest son, Yoshiki has taken over the family name and is exclusively a sedcond generation craftsman of Sosaku Kokeshi. Sheiho was a memeber of the Yonezawa Miyuki Association until his death.
Collector's note – descriptive qualities, standard characteristics & ornamentation styles:
Kimono design and motifs are understated with chattering giving a rich textured surface, or intricately handpainted with seasonal and natural flora elements. The natural wood, typically the deep coloration and graining of the Enju, (Pagoda tree wood) and Birch, (Kabanoki), provides a basis for his creations, which, in most cases are minimally painted, and ornamented. The faces on his dolls are meant to be more expressive, and minimally rendered and incorporate a suggestion of a nose and expressive eyes. He always celebrates the garment worn with distinctive hairstyles when emphasized.