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.
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Artisan | Woodworker: Kano, Chiyomatsu (Kanou) | 1935-
Origin:
Kano-san was born in 1935 and has died, but the year is unknown. He started making Sosaku dolls around 1953. He was a multi- prize winning artist, including the Prime Minister’s Award at least twice.
Collector's note – descriptive qualities, standard characteristics & ornamentation styles:
Kano-san shows his ability to create and select a form that best interacts with the natural characteristics of the intrinsic beauty of wood, harmoniously blending the traditional and contemporary imagery. Most have simple facial expressions utilizing a ‘one-stroke eye’, (Hitofude-me). Some figures utilize the Yukata / Ikat-style clothing or simple lines defining the layers of the clothing. Kano-san’s dolls are highly prized and seldom seen.
Artist's Signature:
