Vintage Sosaku Kokeshi entitled: “Oshinobi dochu | Traveling Incognito” by Ryoichi, Funayama

Dimensions: 10-3/4” h

Ryoichi is only one of several artists, (Kon, Akira, (Seiju) and Kato, 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 and were well educated in music, poetry, art, fashion, and calligraphy, all part of a Heian woman's education, which gave them more freedoms than the general population women. 

He beautifully details the elongated face, wonderful long hair, similar to hair worn during the Heian period, defined as flowing hair. Women’s foreheads were emphasized, since the Japanese prized beauty, elegance, and fashion.  As seen in the upper portion of this figure is a layered Kimono ornamented with white flowers shows under clothing worn for travel: oversized hat and a belted, heavy garment to ward off the chill. The most creative element regarding the overall surface treatment of the coat, using pyrogravure, which seen here is the freehand art of embellishing wood with burn marks. She is mounted on a two-level dias, (a raised platform to stabilize a complexly-formed figure and to present it properly). The artists signature and the name of the Onsen that sold this type of doll is on the base.. 

Condition:  Excellent, pristine original condition, archival quality because of the uniqueness of the doll