Portable Vintage, Rare Traditional Tougatta Ejiko Doll By Sato Masahiro (b.1938) Device [1cWezUkN]

Dimensions: 4-0"h x 2-1/2"dia.

All Ejiko follow the same basic short, rotund style with a separate, upper part of the body, (neck and head), having bangs split in two with side fringes, thin narrow eyes, a split-type nose, and a head covered with a painting of a chrysanthemum. The head is a squeeze-in type, but cannot be turned to produce a ‘squeak’. On the body of the doll are stylized wildflowers as if in they were growing in the woods. It also shows a decorated circular-style painting known as ‘Rokoru Moyo’, which is done as the doll is turned on the lathe. The final unique feature is the natural wood bark that has been retained and used as part of the decoration on the body. The piece is signed on the bottom in the script by the artist.

Tougatta dolls are thought to be the oldest family members of the Traditional School and are found by collectors in an interesting range of variations. Any member of a Kokeshi-making family can make an Ejiko doll, and the doll will still retain the artist’s characteristics of design as applied to the standard, traditional Kokeshi made by the family. The later was accepted by collectors as its own entity, and as a traditional doll in its own right.

Condition: Excellent, beautiful, original condition, with no fading or loss of color and consistent with age. The piece meets all the standards of collectible Folk Art.