Vintage Sosaku Kokeshi entitled: “Akai take | Red Bamboo” by Sato Kouson (a.k.a. Komura)

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Dimensions: 14-00”h 

Sato Kouson is one of the few female creative Kokeshi makers recognized as an accomplished artist and worked out of her studio in Fukushima-ken, Kuwaori-machi. This area was at the heart of the 2011 earthquake and tsunami devastation area of Fukushima Prefecture. 

This impressive lathe-turned Birch (Kabanoki) Kokeshi with hand painted motif has always been a symbol of prosperity in Japan. For years, people were told to run into the bamboo groves in the event of an earthquake, because the bamboo’s strong root structure would hold the earth together. Images of bamboo are also symbolic of purity and innocence and are auspicious symbolizing long life and vitality.

Here Kouson-san uses vermilion sumi-e’ brushwork on the body that incorporates a simulation of the bamboo ‘node’ that is seen in its natural state. The head of the doll shows a traditional influence with the black bangs, side hair fringes, and tiny expressive mouth. On top of her head is a traditional red bow. Signed on the bottom by the artist. 

Condition: Excellent with no imperfections or color loss. Museum quality piece and a perfect doll for the collector of Kouson’s work in the Japanese Kokeshi folk art genre.