Vintage Sosaku Kokeshi entitled: “Odori | Movement” by Kano, Chiyomatsu

Dimensions: 6-3/4”h

This is a very rare doll, highly prized, and seldom seen on the market. Here the artist created a three-dimensional form that best interacts with the natural characteristics of the intrinsic beauty of wood, harmoniously blending traditional and contemporary imagery. 

The doll has a simple facial expression utilizing a ‘one-stroke eye’,(Hitofude-me). In Japanese Kokeshi Art catalogs, the artist further defines this figure as “Budō no ko | Child of the Martial Arts”. The most interesting feature is the offset head that exhibits a Topknot (Bintsuke). He is wearing a traditional Chonmage haircut worn by boys/men with a short blunt fringe at the forehead, and straight hair cut around the skull. He is shown with a type of earmuff covering his ears, which is typically worn in the northern regions, and originally was a simple compressed cloth. Additionally, Chiyomatsu-san incorporates on the winter coat a random black Ikat-style motif defining the layers of the pattern throughout the overall garment. The piece is hand signed with a paper affixed on the bottom indicating the shop that specialized in his works. 

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.