Vintage Sosaku Kokeshi entitled: Mother and Child by Aida Harumi
Dimensions: 6-31”h
A typical theme of only a few artists is that of either the mother with child or the infant in the arms of the Oshin, (Baby Sitter). Japanese mothers are known for proactively predicting the needs of their children, making the prevention of fuss a high priority. The babysitter was a trusted and essential part of the Japanese family, and was particularly important to rural mothers who daily worked the fields, and who needed assurance that each child would be lovingly cared for throughout the day. This piece shows a great deal of affection with expressive faces and a slight whisper of har flowing down each face. the body of the Mother is unornamented but has a wonderful bulbous shape define the figure. The piece has the artists red stamp on the bottom.
Sosaku Kokeshi images of mother, Oshin, and child, as shown here, are rare subjects for inspiration in today’s Japanese artisan world, and are rigorously sought after by collectors.
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: Aida, Seihou | 1926-1998
Origin:
Aida-san is a very popular Sosaku Kokeshi artist who has won many awards since he began creating Kokeshi in 1962. Aida was bon in Yonezawa City, Yamagata Prefecture in the first year of the Showa era. Along with the Prime Minister’s Award, he also won a 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, and usually works in Enju wood, a dark, beautiful-grained wood of the Pagoda tree.
Collector's Note — descriptive qualities, standard characteristics, & ornamentation styles:
Kimono design and motifs are understated with the use of chattering giving a rich textured surface, or intricately handpainted with seasonal and natural flaura elements. The natural wood, typically Enju – Pagoda tree wood), provides a contrast to his understated, minimally painted, and ornamented doll. His heads are minimally rendered and usually peeping out of its winter wrap.
His faces usually have a tiny red nose and expressive eyes. Aida, Seihoou is extremely collectable and hard to find in excellent condition. The collector that appreciates the manipulation of natural wood would appreciate this contemporary handling of all related elements.
Artist's Signature:
