Vintage Sosaku Kokeshi Entitled, “Yuki no ichi | Snow Night” by Aoki, Chikako
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Dimensions: 8-1/4”h
Offered is a rare, “one-off” creation from a virtually unknown and unpublished craftswoman. Her head shows hand-carved and colored bangs, with expressive eyes peering out from under the winter clothing that covers her head. What is interesting is the unusual turning and surface ornamentation of this very solid form defining her body. This young girl is wearing a ‘mino’, (snow coat), that is covered with a textured cherry blossom motif throughout the simulated tortoise shell colored surface. It is executed by a burning technique called, ‘Shou sugi ban’, that creates the three-dimensional qualities of wood and creates patterns. The wood used is cypress, (hinoki). Additionally the artist incorporated lacquerwork in finishing the coat and striped undergarment, in red and green, with a vertically textured background. She has a sumi-e’ drawn face, and bangs with ‘one-stroke eyes’, (Hitofude-me). Aoki-san signed on the bottom, which allowed the translation in identifying the artist/maker’s name. We have never seen any other pieces by Aoki-san, and believe that the artist’s artwork focuses on other media and Kokeshi making was not her specialization.
Condition: Very good, original condition, with no fading or loss of color, and consistent with age. The was a hairline crack that is difficult to see and does not interfere with its appreciation or stability. This occurred when the pieces was being turned and repaired by the artist. The piece meets all the standards of collectible Folk Art.
NOTE: Historically, the Japanese have been a very modest people. Japanese artists, in particular, felt their work spoke for them, and so for centuries, creative efforts by many artists, yet were easily recognized by the public through a specific style and the artists’ unique personalities. As collectors we felt it was most important to represent all Traditional and Sosaku Kokeshi, whether or not the artist has been identified by their seal, or artistic signature translated, or a written account of the artist’s life. Each shows the diversity of this cultural specialization and the creative work produced by this artist. There is no biographical information on this Kokeshi wood carver.
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Our antique/vintage pieces are identified/described and professionally photographed, and considered, “as is”, therefore all sales are final. Read our full refund and return policy.
Artisan | Woodworker: Aoki, Chikako
Biographical History:
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, and 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 still 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:
A rare, “one-off” creation from a virtually unknown and unpublished craftsperson. What is interesting is the unusual turning and surface ornamentation of this form. This 8-0” high figure of a young girl is wearing a “mino”, (snow coat), that is covered with a floral textural motif on the surface and unusual lacquer work defining the coat and undergarment, which is simply striped in red and green with the natural wood background. Only her face and expressive eyes are peeping out of her winter clothing. She is signed on the bottom but done in an artistic manner, only allowing the translation of the artist/maker’s name. We have never seen any other pieces by this artist and believe that his artwork focuses on other media.