Vintage Sosaku Kokeshi entitled: "Yukiko | Snow Maiden" by Aide Seiho
Dimensions: 9-0”h
With just a few brush strokes, the details of decorating are typically Japanese, but very definitive. This is a rather contemporary approach to the ‘Mage’ hair design. Her face is extremely expressive, with her head and eyes tilted downwards are typically Japanese. The Kimono is flipped up on the bottom to expose the undergarment. The piece has a red stamp on the bottom representing the artist.
Condition: Excellent, original condition, with no fading or loss of color and consistent with age. This is a VERY unusual doll, and the piece meets all the standards of Kokeshi collectible Folk Art.
Artisan
Woodworker: Aida, Seihou
1926-1998
Biographical History:
Aida-san, (a.k.a. Harumine), is a leading Sosaku Kokeshi artist who has won many awards since he began creating Kokeshi in 1947 and has produced award-winning dolls from 1962-1974. Aida was born in Yonezawa City, Yamagata Prefecture in the first year of the Showa era. Along with the Prime Minister’s Award, he also won top awards in the Modern Kokeshi Academy in 1972-74; the Minister of Education Encouragement Price at the National Modern Kokeshi Exhibition in 1974; and an award in 1993 at the Special Kokeshi Federation Anniversary Exhibition. He is acknowledged as one of the leading early artists in the Sosaku movement. His eldest son, Yoshiki has taken over the family name and is exclusively a sedcond generation craftsman of Sosaku Kokeshi. Sheiho was a memeber of the Yonezawa Miyuki Association until his death.
Collector's note – descriptive qualities, standard characteristics & ornamentation styles:
Kimono design and motifs are understated with chattering giving a rich textured surface, or intricately handpainted with seasonal and natural flora elements. The natural wood, typically the deep coloration and graining of the Enju, (Pagoda tree wood) and Birch, (Kabanoki), provides a basis for his creations, which, in most cases are minimally painted, and ornamented. The faces on his dolls are meant to be more expressive, and minimally rendered and incorporate a suggestion of a nose and expressive eyes. He always celebrates the garment worn with distinctive hairstyles when emphasized.
Explore & Learn More about Woodworker: Aida, Seihou