Vintage Sosaku Kokeshi entitled: “Yukinko” | Snow Child” by Yusa, Fukuju, (1930-2001)
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Dimensions: 4-3/4” h
Yusa-san had a hard time separating himself from the dolls his family produced. While he apprenticed under Master Takashashi Sakari of Narugo Spa, Miyagi, he began creating Sosaku dolls in the late 1950s. In breaking family tradition, he created award-winning dolls, including the Prime Minister’s Award in 1960, at the age of 30.
Yusa, Fukuji made only a few of this child type of doll which is simple in its overall design and fabrication using black to define the characteristics of this doll. The smooth undulating surfaces add to the simple character of this doll and bring into focus a key element which is a blanket wrapping referred to as a “Kakumaki”, which is a winter shoulder shawl that was used throughout the Northern part of Japan, to throw on quickly to keep a body warm on short outings. The natural qualities of the Beechwood (Buna-zai) are brought forward beautifully with minimal painted ornamentation focused on the outline of the young person's head/face, the closure, and the edge of the bottom of the faint rendition of the garment. Yusa-san signed the bottom of the doll in the script.
The piece was published in the 2022 publication of Sosaku Kokeshi: Celebrating the Major Artists of the Creative Movement. For more information on this artist go to the following link: https://mingeiarts.com/collections/artisan-woodworker-yusa-fukuju-1930-2001.
Condition: Excellent lathe turning, detailing and size for it is outstandingly excellent, impressive, and beautiful. No chips, cracks, breaks, missing pieces, or restoration, and retains its original details and finish. The piece meets all the standards of the vintage collectible Sosaku Kokeshi by Yusa, Fujuju.
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Artisan | Woodworker: Yusa, Fukuju | 1930-2001
Biographical History:
Yusa-san was born in Miyagi Prefecture to a prominent family of Traditional Narugo Kokeshi artists and had a difficult time separating himself from the dolls his family produced. While apprenticing under Master Takahashi Sakari of Narugo Spa, Miyagi, he began creating Sosaku dolls in the late 1950s. In breaking family tradition, he created award-winning dolls, including the Prime Minister’s Award in 1960, at 30 years of age. He is known for creating a beautifully painted image of Daruma, (Bodhidharma) on the body of his dolls in the liking of an Indian sage who lived in the fifth or sixth century AD. He was one of ten Kokeshi artists commissioned by the Sony Family Club in 1998, to submit a ‘Daruma’ winning top prize.
Beyond this overview, there is little biographical data on Yusa-san, but as researchers and collectors, we felt it was most important to represent all Sosaku Kokeshi artists, and whether or not the artist has a written account of his or her life.
Collector's note – descriptive qualities, standard characteristics & ornamentation styles:
Yusa-san’s dolls are very plainly designed, and all employ ‘Chatter’ work defining the hair, and are typically decorated with the black, multi-colored sections or gold graphics. The smooth undulating surfaces add to the simple character of each doll, bringing focus to the central motif. He also portrays young children, many wearing one common article of clothing called a "Kakumaki", which is a winter shawl used throughout the Northern part of Japan, to keep out the chill. Most of his pieces illustrate expressive faces through the use of sumi-e’ painting, or illustrate clothing that is colorfully detailed. His award winning doll on the left include graphics that symbolize “Hoshu” the Treasure World. The dolls shown are versions of his 1960 award-winning doll in the National Kokeshi competition. Most of his Kokeshi was refinished with a type of natural candle wax known as Roseau no ro.