Vintage Traditional Nakanosowa Takobozu Kokeshi by Master Fumio, Kakizaki (1947-)
Dimensions: 15-1/4” h
This is an exceptionally large and rare doll by this artist and represents a sub-strain of the Nakanosowa, a member of the Tsuchiyu family. However, it is so obviously different from the rest of this family that it warrants its "own" classification as a transitional doll (a doll that has aspects of the traditional Tsuchiyu doll and creative motifs incorporated into the body. Fumio, now 75 years of age studied under Masters, Takeo Takahashi, and Yoshizo Iwamoto. The doll is affectionately nicknamed “Take boze”, (which translates octopus) with a characteristically shaved and painted head. This stream of Kokeshi is inspired by a street dancer named Iwamoto Kenichi who performed a fast-tempo foot dance called a "Kappore" and conducted dancing lessons for local geisha girls.
The face was so distinctive that it was given its own identity. The face is the distinguishing feature that always incorporates the Bikkuri-me, (surprised eyes), with blushes around the eyes, and the Shishi-Bana, (lion’s nose), and a unique mouth. The elongated thin body incorporates the Rokuru Moyo horizontal lines framing realistic and abstract flowers on all sides of the doll. The dominant color is red, with some accents of green. It shows black concentric circles on the top of the head called Jano-me, together with a draped red bow loop on the sides of the temporal head (Kase). Even though this specific doll is based on a male street performed, one of the most unique features of this doll that the use of what is referred to as Yorisiro in which Buddhist women gathered their hair into a tuft, and wrapped it to drape down of the head. It was used as a Shinto “purity” symbol and meant to avoid the use of hair ornamentation ornamenting which was believed to encourage disrespect and a self-indulgent lifestyle. The doll is signed by the artist.
Condition: Excellent, outstandingly large, impressive, and beautiful. No chips, cracks, breaks, missing pieces, or restoration, and retains its original details with slight marks of aging. While considered a sub-strain of the Tsuchiyu Kokeshi, these beguiling dolls have a special attraction to collectors because of their history. The piece meets all the standards of the collectible Nakanosowa Traditional Dolls.
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Japanese Traditional Kokeshi | Nakanosowa-Kei (Family)
Prefecture: Fukushima
Origin:
The Nakanosawa doll is a member of the Tsuchiyu family. However, it is so obviously different from the rest of this family that it warrants its own description. This distinctively painted traditional doll was originally created by Iwamoto Zenkichi, in Nakanosawa Onsen, in the town of Inawashiro, Fukushima Prefecture. How they came to be created is a wonderful story. It is said that a street dancer named Iwamoto Kenichi and performed a fast tempo foot dance called a "Kappore" fore which which he gave dancing lessions to local geisha girls. He created a Kokeshi doll copied after a pillow that he used in this dance. The painted pillow from which his Kokeshi doll had facial features as well as painted bold flower patterns. His audience was soon so taken with his dance with the pillow that they asked for a doll to be made with these special features and nicknamed affectionately as a "Tako Bouzu" with characteristic large popping eyes and bold flower design.
Collector's note – characteristics / painting style:
In the beginning, the doll was made of papier maché. When Kenichi’s son began to produce the doll, it was made like the rest of the traditional Kokeshi, but retained the large, expressive eyes, over-sized head, and reddish to pink blush on each cheek, similar to that painted on the pillow. The dolls also had a very different nose, with flared nostrils, much like a lion’s nose (shishi-bana). They were usually painted in the style of the rest of the Tsuchiyu Kokeshi, with the Janome rings painted on their heads and Rokoru bands on the tall, thin and tapering bodies.
One of the more unique features still found on Nakanosawa dolls, however, are the large, open peonies, which people claim were originally inspired by the tattoos that the Geisha sported.
These dolls also have been given the humorous name of “Tako Bozo”, which translated means “an octopus with a monk’s shaven head”. After the death of Kenichi’s son Yoshizou, a group of craftsmen kept the making of the Nakanosawa doll alive. While considered a sub-strain of the Tsuchiyu Kokeshi, these beguiling dolls have a special attraction to collectors because of their history.
Notable artists:
Seya Kouji, b. 1952
Kakizaki Fumiio, b.1947
Arakawa Youicihi, b. 1938
Sanbe Haruo, b. 1929
Takahashi, Takeo, Master
Seya, Juji, Master, b. 1924
Iwamoto Yoshizo, Grand Master