Vintage Sosaku Kokeshi entitled: “Ringokko | Rosy Cheeks” by Sekiguchi, Toa
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Dimensions: 4-0”h
This Kokeshi won the Prime Minister’s Award and is made of beautifully painted Mizuki, (Dogwood). The doll portrays a young girl with soft red cheeks and wonderfully long hair, similar to hair worn during the Heian period. The forehead is again emphasized, since the Japanese prized beauty, elegance, and fashion. Her clothing is ornamented with Festival elements, and firework themes in bright red, green, and gold elements defining her clothing. A red impression is on the bottom of the doll identifying the piece by the artist.
Condition: Excellent, pristine original condition, archival quality because of the uniqueness of the doll.
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Artisan | Woodworker: Sekiguchi, Toa | 1942-
Biographical History:
Son of Sansaku, Toa was born in Shibukawa City, Gunma-ken, and still lives and works there with his family, all of whom create Sosaku Kokeshi. Winner of many awards, he received the Ministry of International Trade Industry Award in 1978-9. Since then he has won the Prime Minister’s Award, one named Kaze ni Fukarete, and two others one named Utage and a third Chikurin are marked with his script signature and the note: “Naikaku-soridaijinsho jyushu sakka”, Several others received respected commendations. Toa and his wife operate their own Kokeshi studio, where they continue to create award-winning Kokeshi.
Collector's note – descriptive qualities, standard characteristics & ornamentation styles:
Toa-san often employs beautifully painted Mizuki (Dogwood), for his pieces. We see all types of motifs used, including festival elements representing fireworks, and natural elements such as abstracted Gingko leaves, (Ginkgo trees survived the atomic bomb dropped on Hiroshima in 1945, and are considered a “bearer of hope”). We additionally see wheat, plum flowers, cloud-filled skies, and evening sunsets. Many pieces illustrate long hair executed by deep carving to define the hair strands. Toa definitely shows off his artistic, painterly abilities with beautiful creations in black, grey, vermillion, and gold.