Vintage Sosaku Kokeshi entitled: “Sho-chiku-bai | Three Friends of Winter” by Sato, Sugai (1920-)
Dimensions: 23-0”h
Sato-san, at the age of 18, began his professional career as a painter under the famous artist Komuro, Suiun, before pursuing a career in creative Kokeshi making in 1948. His Kokeshi dolls have won many awards, including the Prime Minister’s Award in 1966. Sato-san’s artistry has been recognized by Japan’s Imperial Family, Crown Prince Akihito, (Now Emperor Akihito).
The ‘mon” incorporated into this Kokeshi are based on what was referred to as the “three Friends of Winter” which take their design from elements in nature that symbolize ago-old Japanese traditions and beliefs. Many of these characteristics were adopted by the samurai and their clans on clothing in the 1920s and were favorite subjects of auspicious stories, arts, and rituals and have had a profound connection to the Japanese way of life.
This large two-section Kokeshi shows a diversity of ‘Mon’, which originated as currency appearing on coins during the Meiji period, and then fabric patterns to be used on clothing, to distinguish individuals, or signify membership in a specific clan. The reference to Tsukikage is based on the circular images of the ‘Mon’, (Kamon and Mondokoro), which decorate the body of this doll. The doll is turned from one piece of wood, accenting a delicate lip on the top of the Kimono, and an obi that accentuates the waist. Because of its size, the doll was made in two separate sections that are joined with a dowel to aid in carrying the doll to other parts of Japan. The face is serene, with a large ‘Mage’ hair effect, bangs, and side hair fringes. The doll is signed and has a red impression stamp of the artist.
The piece was published in the 2022 publication of Sosaku Kokeshi: Celebrating the Major Artists of the Creative Movement. For more information on this artist go to the following link: https://mingeiarts.com/collections/artisan-woodworker-sato-suigai-1920
Condition: Excellent lathe turning, painting, and size, for it is outstandingly excellent, impressive, and beautiful detailing. No chips, cracks, breaks, missing pieces, or restoration, it is very stable and retains its original details and finishes. The piece meets all the standards of the vintage collectible Sosaku Kokeshi by Sato, Sugai.
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Artisan | Woodworker: Sato, Suigai | 1920-
Origin:
Sato-san, also known as Sadahachi, was born in Okubo, Yoshioka Village, Gunma Prefecture, to a family who owned a silk trading business. At the age of 18, he began his professional career as a painter under famous artist Komuro, Suiun, before pursuing a career in creative Kokeshi making in 1948. Sato-san also pursued careers in fashion design, engineering, and mechanics. His Kokeshi dolls have won many awards, including the Prime Minister’s Award in 1966. In 1970, Sato-san’s artistry was recognized by Japan’s Imperial Family, Crown Prince Akihito, (Now Emperor Akihito), the Minister of Economy and Trade, and the Minister of Agriculture and Forestry.
Collector's note – descriptive qualities, standard characteristics & ornamentation styles:
What is unique to this artist’s dolls is the unusual but traditional hairstyle, the wheat, summer grass, bamboo, (symbolizing prosperity, purity, and innocence), plum blossoms, and abstract leaves. In many instances he utilizes an uncolored wood obi on both plain and vividly colored Kimono. He additionally incorporated ‘Stilt grass’, which is most commonly found in moist areas of wetlands. He also enjoyed representing ‘Kyoho budo’, (giant mountain grapes). Occasionally he incorporated pine, plum, and bamboo, referred to as “sho-chiku-bai”. Sato-san created many wonderful simple forms. The artist regularly captures a peaceful nature in his dolls faces, complementing the serene nature that fills the countryside. And finally, we see Sato-san creating very large Kokeshi, made in two separate sections from the same piece of wood. The motif on the body represent the family crests, (Mon).
Artist's Signature:
