Vintage Traditional Tsuchiyu Sugegasa Kokeshi by Watanabe, Sadao

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Dimensions: 7-1/8”h

This is a less common and very rare Tsuchiyu Kokeshi that is shown with a conical hat known as Sugegasa. Only on traditional occasions, people are still wear Japanese traditional hats. As seen in this Kokeshi the hat represents the older conical hat that is very wide-brimmed with both concentric circles in red and green on the top called Janome and mimicked lacquered umbrellas of the time, (Kasa).

The narrow, circular wide banded body is painted with red with a chrysanthemum motif in-between the banding using water-based paint, (that is why you see the fanning out of the flower detains), as opposed to oil-based which was an older method and does not lose its form. Both add a dynamic element to the dolls. This doll has eyes called futae-mabuta, (double lid), and noses called tare-bana, (long nose), and hair fringes with slight bangs framing the face. This doll is made from Kiri wood and not lacquered as his other dolls which indicates it might be an earlier version of this type. The doll is signed on the bottom by the artist.

Condition: Excellent, original condition, with no fading or loss of color and consistent with age and standards of collectible Folk Art. All details are perfect and as crafted.

NOTE: There is no other biographical information published on the artist other than he was born in 1938 and studying under his father and Master: Watanabe, Sadami born in 1917.