

Vintage Sosaku Kokeshi
Vintage Sosaku Kokeshi entitled: “Shoshinsha no sori ~yo | Novice Monk” by Katase, Kaihei | 1921-2015
Katase, Kahei
Age:1965
Descriptive qualities& condition:
Dimensions: 6-0”h
Buddhism and Shintoism are the most popular practiced religions in Japan. Monasteries were places where young children from poor families went to learn how to read, write, and pray, and many monks served as teachers and recruiters.
This Sosaku Kokeshi represents a young Samanera, (monk) who has been accepted into the monastery but has not yet undergone higher ordination. As shown in this figure, the practice of cutting or shaving the hair on the scalp in a pinwheel pattern called ‘Tonsure’, is a sign of religious devotion or humility. Both the hair and body display the use of “Chatter Work”, (Birikan’na), to give texture to each element. The eyes are simple shallow carvings showing a humble child prepared for learning. Young monks were given three garments, inner, lower, and outer. Portrayed is a small child, (a monk, as it were), wearing a brown robe, “civara ”, which means a robe without any symbolic meaning to its color. The artist's impressed stamp is on the bottom.
... Read moreArtisan | Woodworker: Katase, Kahei | 1922-2015
Origin:
Born in the town of Hakone, in a region known for its beautiful wooden marquetry crafts, Katase-san, the son of a Kijishi, (woodworker), won the first Prime Minister’s Award in 1954 at the ‘All Nippon Kokeshi Competition’. Along with many of his fellow Sosaku artists, Katase-san was a soldier, and perhaps turned to creative Kokeshi-making to assuage the rigors of a long-fought war.
Katase focuses on what is known as “one-off” dolls turned from one piece of wood, and detailed throughout the figural form. They primarily illustrate the “new” styles of Japan of the 18th century when the Dutch East Indies Trading Company influenced Japanese everyday life and customs. Buddhist figures, which are intricately carved, are another style by this artist.
Collector's note – descriptive qualities, standard characteristics & ornamentation styles:
In many dolls he utilizes a hand painted striping technique called Rokuro Moyo, and in several instances he incorporates seasonal flowers into the kimono representation. The hair and clothing of his pieces are subtly textured with a lacquered finish.
Artist's signature:
