

Vintage Sosaku Kokeshi
Vintage Sosaku Kokeshi entitled: “Oshinobi dochu | Traveling Incognito” by Kon, Akira (Seiju)
Kon, Akira
Age:Early, 1960s
Descriptive qualities& condition:
Dimensions: 5-1/2”h
Kon-san is only one of three other artists, (Ryoichi, Kato, and Hiroshi) who also made interpretations of this stylized Heian noblewomen. Women from families of high rank enjoyed a certain aspect of freedom during the period. These privileged women were well educated in music, poetry, art, fashion, and calligraphy, all part of a Heian woman's education, which gave them more freedom than the general female population.
He beautifully details this miniature doll incorporating his style of elongated face, and wonderfully long hair, similar to hair worn during the Heian period, defined as flowing hair. Women’s foreheads were emphasized with two black marks referred to as Bindi decoration, (traditionally, the area between the eyebrows) is said to be the sixth chakra, ajna, the seat of "concealed wisdom”, and is said to retain energy and strengthen concentration. Additionally, elongated foreheads are prized by the Japanese representing beauty, elegance, and fashion. As seen in the upper portion of this figure is a layered Kimono ornamented with white flowers showing under clothing worn for travel: an oversized hat and a belted, heavy garment to ward off the chill, represented here by a minimally decorated pear wood, (Nashi). The piece is unsigned but definitely one of his varying-size pieces of this style.
Condition: Excellent and beautiful examples and conditions affording each doll age-old elegance. Retains the original craft/workmanship showing a wonderfully-developed patina and commensurate with age and unrestored. Each piece meets all the standards of Traditional Kokeshi collectibles and is an exceptional piece for the collectors of Sosaku artist dolls.
Artisan | Woodworker: Kon, Akira (Seiju) | 1931-
Origin:
Seiju studied under Master Hasegawa, Tatsuo, and his designs are based on the Tsugaru-style kokeshi, where his pieces were sold at the Owani Spa, Aomori. Little is known about this artist, other than he is from the Yamagata area, a major Kokeshi-making city/prefecture. ‘Noh’ theatre, of course, along with Kabuki, is Japan’s great gift to the Western world. They originated at religious festivals in the first half of the fourteenth century. Kon-san is famous for his depiction of a ‘Noh Dancer’, and he captured the highly stylized masked actor at his commanding and mysterious best. Unusual for Kokeshi, the artist quite offen added tabi-covered feet to the piece, which one never sees on historically pure Kokeshi.
Collector's note – descriptive qualities, standard characteristics & ornamentation styles:
His figures perfectly depict emotions conveyed by wonderfully stylized faces, gestures and simple treatment of garments. He employed different woods, particularly Japanese cypress, (Hinoki), and then stained with natural pigments.