Vintage Sosaku Kokeshi Entitled: “Kongasure”
Dimensions: 10-0”h
This is an unusual Kokeshi by Yamanaka-san who creates wonderfully-painted and decorated dolls in many forms and shapes. This particular doll is an example of a young person wearing a Navy Ikat Yukata. Here Sanpei utilizes a palette of soft watercolor stripes to create a suggestion of a rainbow. Rainbows in Buddhism is “the highest state achievable before attaining Nirvana, where individual desires and consciousness are sublimated”. Here, Yamanaka also adds a painted Ikat pattern to add dimension to the garment. This doll portrays a wonderful traditional hairstyle referred to as a “bob” through the use of controlled carving to shape the head. On the side of her head is a simulated red hairpin, (Kanzashi) which also looks similar to his signature. Here facial design is most expressive in the rendition of the eyes and mouth and truly representative of a young child. The doll has a worn stamp on the bottom of the doll.
To further explain, a yukata is an unlined cotton summer kimono, worn in casual settings such as summer festivals and to nearby bathhouses. Originally worn as bathrobes, their modern use is much broader, and are a common sight in Japan during summer.
Condition: Excellent, original condition with no imperfections.
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Artisan | Woodworker: Yamanaka, Sanpei | 1926-
Origin:
Born in Yonezawa, Yamagata Prefecture, Yamanaka-san began his artistic career as a photographer, after majoring in chemistry. However, rather than develop a career in Traditional Yamagata doll making, Yamanaka-san used his art background to join the Sosaku Kokeshi movement. A multiple award winner, he won the Ministry of Education Award at the all Nippon Modern Kokeshi Exhibition in 1979.
Collector's note – descriptive qualities, standard characteristics & ornamentation styles:
Yamanaka-san creates wonderfully painted and decorated dolls in many forms and shapes. He may utilize a palette of soft watercolor rings in the Rokuro-moyo manner, to create a suggestion of a rainbow, because in Buddhism, the rainbow is “the highest state achievable before attaining Nirvana, where individual desire and consciousness are sublimated”. On numerous occasions, Yamanaka adds painted flowers to add to the overall dimension of the garment that it is representing. This is not to say that he does not enjoy the natural qualities of wood. Controlled carving adds textures that are neat, random, and sometimes repetitive, and provides decoration to his dolls. The carving contrasts nicely with the natural grain of the wood. Dolls portray wonderful traditional hairstyles through the use of “chattering’ and controlled carving. His head and facial designs are most expressive, particularly with figures of children.
Artist's Signature:
