Vintage Sosaku Kokeshi entitled: “Yukiguni no Warabe | Children of the Snow Country” by Shouzan, Shido
Dimensions: 11-1/4”h
This is an exceptional, earlier model of Shuzan’s Snow Coat Kokeshi which incorporates multiple layering of clothing. The snow coat, (Mino), is an outer garment which is meant to keep the Kimono and the undergarments protected from the winter weather. This doll features the beautiful, turned, natural finished wood, (using different woods (Paulownia and Cherry) differentiating the different garments worn with the undergarment featuring a repetitive textural pattern called ‘Chatter’ Work. The head covers her ‘Mage’, (topknot) and is an unusual form not used by other carvers. Her face peeps out from under the Mino and is simply rendered depicting a young girl.
The form speaks for itself, and allows the viewer to enjoy the visual and tactile character exhibited by the wood utilized in their creation. The doll is lacquered and sealed with a natural candle wax, (Roseau no ro). The piece being an earlier piece is unsigned for it was meant for sale only to Japanese citizens on holiday at the Onsen’s. Later signed versions were made for export once foreigners discovered his work.
Condition: Mint condition exhibiting the wonderful manipulation of woods to form the figure producing a natural, aged patination and meticulous care. There are no missing elements, no scratches or imperfections related to daily use with all detailed elements intact. The object retains the original craftsmanship, meeting the standards of the collector of Japanese Sosaku Kokeshi.
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Artisan | Woodworker: Shido, Shouzan | 1932-1995
Origin:
Shido-san is considered by Kokeshi collectors and critics alike to be arguably the most influential artist in the world of Sosaku Kokeshi doll making. Shido-san’s main focus was depicting unadorned Northern girls in the traditional “Mino”, or Snow Coat, but he also produced tall, thin dolls, which were sparsely decorated. His keen sense of design, minimal use of color, and simple elegant shapes set him apart from his peers, making him one of the most collectible artists emerging from the creative period of the ‘60s. He is a winner of the Prime Minister’s Award, among many other awards.
Collector's note – descriptive qualities, standard characteristics & ornamentation styles:
Shido-san loved studying the use of combining different types of wood to gain the desired effect and to give dimension to his pieces. He also enjoyed creating slender, tall dolls to support the fact that they resemble the tall, thin trees seen throughout Japan. He incorporated a repetitive textural pattern called ‘Harmonic Chatter work’ to enhance the natural qualities of the wood on many of his works.
Shido-san particularly enjoyed the textural qualities of ‘Chattering’ on the rain/snow coat, (Minomushi), which is a favorite theme, executed with minimal painted ornamentation, with an emphasis on the natural wood. In general, it is said the Japanese culture is one of modesty and humility. Occasionally we see different types of headdress, one of which he called a ‘Tsunokakushi’, which is a wide headresses or hood, which covered elaborate hairstyles. We are told that the Japanese people regulate their behavior and response by reading faces and the eyes of others. Here, as well as elsewhere, you will see many examples of different characteristics of the eye is expressions. His most famous doll was called “mai”, a dancer, which was an elegant and slender doll created in 1970. This doll exhibited traditional hair design with an emphasis on a brightly colored “obi” which brings forth the best use of complex geometry to create traditional Japanese clothing elements.
Shido-san was a prolific artist/woodworker of Kokeshi dolls. We additionally see unusual subjects focused on Zen Buddhism and figures of Daruma, (Bodhidharma) of which most were made in a “roly-poly” type figure seen throughout festivals in Japan.
Artist's Signature:
