Halloween Special Vintage Sosaku Kokeshi Entitled: “aki Take | Red Bamboo” By Sato, Kouson Instant 85% Discount [3bejvBME]

Dimensions: 22-1/2 ’h

Kouson-san worked out of her studio in Fukushima-ken, Kuwaori-machi. Sato-san is one of the few female, creative Kokeshi makers recognized as an accomplished Master of woodworking art. This was in the heart of the 2011 earthquake and tsunami devastation area of Fukushima Prefecture. She retired soon after.  

Many Japanese believe Kokeshi has spiritual significance as related to nature and children. This impressive lathe-turned Birch, (Kabanoki), Kokeshi is beautifully hand-painted, with bamboo in Vemillion,(opaque, orangish red pigment), as the motif. Bamboo 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 an auspicious symbol of long life and vitality. 

Her sumi-e’ brushwork on the body is exceptionally painterly, and the details incorporate a simulation of the bamboo ‘node’, seen in its natural state. The head of this doll sits on top of a tapered neck and shows a traditional influence with the black bangs, side hair fringes, and a tiny expressive mouth. On top of the head is a traditional red bow. The artist signed the doll on the bottom.

The piece was published in the 2022 publication of Sosaku Kokeshi: Celebrating the Major Artists of the Creative Movement. For more information on this artist go to the following link: https://mingeiarts.com/collections/artisan-woodworker-sato-kouson-a-k-a-komura.

Condition: Superb in lathe turning, painting, and size, for it is outstandingly excellent, impressive, and beautiful. There are no chips, cracks, breaks, missing pieces or restoration, and it retains its original details and finish. The piece meets all the standards of the vintage collectible Sosaku Kokeshi by Sato, Kouson (A.K.A. Komora).