Vintage Sosaku Kokeshi entitled: “Yukake | Red Sunset” by Ishihara, Hideo
Dimensions: 9-3/4” h
This doll’s Kimono honors the setting sun as seen through a bamboo grove. Bamboo is a very strong and sturdy plant, and is a symbol of prosperity in Japan. The doll celebrates both the bamboo as well as the Japanese vermillion sun. It is said the aesthetic of the doll is to represent an individual strolling in a sprawling bamboo forest, almost other-worldly, or even as if in a dream. According to the artist, this poem was said to be the basis for this creation: “the bamboo dances in the wind — against the red Japanese sunset —birth of new beginnings”.
Her face has an image of purity and innocence. The body of her Kimono has artistically rendered bamboo stalks. The head features a unique ‘Mage’, accenting its traditional hairstyle with bangs. Ishihara-san has his red impressed mark on the bottom of the doll.
Condition: Excellent, pristine original condition, archival quality because of the uniqueness of the doll.
Artisan
Woodworker: Ishihara, Hideo
1925 - 1999
Biographical History:
Hideo graduated from Tohoku University with a degree in science. His grandfather was Iwataro Onuma, the Kokeshi artist credited with originating Naruto Kokeshi, perhaps the most famous style or strain of traditional Kokeshi types. Upon recovering from his illness, he moved to Sendai and began making Sosaku Kokeshi, and in ten years (1959-1969). During his medical treatment, he studied painting under Genichiro Inokuma. He lost interest in the traditional Kokeshi forms for he felt they were stagnating by family standards, and became an avid proponent of Sosaku Kokeshi allowing him the artistic freedom to experiment with various designs and forms. In 1964, he organized the Poetic Craft Exhibition and received more than sixty awards, including the highest honor, the Prime Minister’s Award. He was introduced to the twenty-three countries in Europe and America by NHK. He has sponsored 30 exhibitions in Japan including those at Matsuzakaya Nagoya and Ginza, and four exhibitions in overseas countries. He was one of the founders of the NKAHA, (Nippon Kokeshi Artistic Handicraft Association).
Collector's note – descriptive qualities, standard characteristics & ornamentation styles:
Ishihara-san’s dolls are based on many motifs found in nature and textile design. He loves portraying both young and old characters with differing hairstyles, (traditional and 1950s era). He illustrates numerous kimono styles in both painted form and carving and utilizes simple graphic treatment to emphasize the strong character of his dolls, which bring out the true nature of the wood materials through manipulation of the turned and carved wood. His dolls are always finished in a simple wax coating. It is also not unusual to see Hideo utilize sumi-e’ drawing of faces that have both the ‘one-stroke eye treatments, (Hitofude-me), as well as a variation of expressive renditions.
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