Vintage Sosaku Kokeshi entitled: "Kurumi On'nanoko | Walnut Girl” by Sekiguchi, Toshio
Dimensions: 8–1/2”h
Shown is a lathe-turned doll turned from one piece of natural light oak incorporating a beautiful, carved transition between the neck of the figure and the Kimono. The doll is left natural and finished with a clear candle wax (Rosoku no ro), with traditional features shown on the face and a girlish ‘bob” hairstyle. The only decorative element is the affixed, natural, and dark walnut sections on the front of his garment, contrasting the smooth surfaces of the doll. A separate section of Walnut is inserted to simulate the Obi. The doll is titled on the lower section of the body with its name, and script signature identifying the artist. On the bottom of the doll is the name of the onsen that represented the artists pieces.
Condition: Excellent, original condition, with no fading or loss of color and consistent with age. The piece meets all the standards of collectible Folk Art.
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Artisan | Woodworker: Sekiguchi, Toshio | 1947-
Biographical History:
Little has been published about Toshio-san but we know that he was born in Gunma Prefecture in 1947, Toshio is not related to Sekiguchi, Sansaku, and his family. He won the Craft Council Award for his extraordinary forms. Beyond this information, nothing else has been written about this artist. As collectors, we felt it was most important to represent all Sosaku Kokeshi artists, whether or not each artist has a written account of his/her life. We show the diversity of cultural values and the creative work produced by a multitude of artists. As a valued customer, Kokeshi collector noted, “Kokeshi collecting is a personal journey in this everlasting realm of Japanese esthetics”. DF
In researching old writings through articles and books that remain, it is evident that the Kokeshi Craftsperson not only created beautiful forms as toys, but also kept alive cultural values, customs, and fashion through the extensive representations of Kokeshi dolls. The beauty is in the doll and not the signatures, for most masters never signed their dolls. Later they named the dolls, but only when Westerners insisted on signatures because they did not know the artists, so the carvers began to sign their works, for the carvers wanted to promote sales to make a living, during the seasons that did not provide an environment to continue their otherwise daily work.
Collector's note – descriptive qualities, standard characteristics & ornamentation styles:
Toshio’s piece featured in the center of the associated images is entitled, “Natsu.no.hi”, (Summer Day), is a beatifully painted doll of Mizuki (Dogwood). Numerous motifs are used in this and other dolls, including natural elements such as walnut sections, abstracted chrysanthemum flowers, and details of textiles. All are executed in natural woods, gold, silver and black. Additionally shown are several lathe-turned dolls turned from one piece of natural light oak incorporating a beautiful, carved transition between the neck of the figure and the Kimono. These dolls are finished with a clear candle wax (Rosoku no ro), with traditional features shown on the face and a girlish ‘bob” hairstyle. The only decorative element is the affixed, natural, and dark walnut sections on the front of his garment, contrasting the smooth surfaces of the doll. Most of his dolls display traditional hairstyles and hairpieces if at all. Toshio demonstrates artistic, painterly abilities with beautiful details throughout a variety of creations and sizes.