Catalog: Vintage Arts: Regional Art: Asian: Japanese: Folk Art (41)

Kokeshi, Yamagata-kei, Yamagata Prefecture, by Kobayashi Seijiro. Birth date=Taisho 7 (1917) July 14. H.11.75” x Dia.2”(30 x 5 cm). Dentou, or "traditional," kokeshi hail from the northeastern part of Japan known as the Tohoku region. Tohoku is comprised of Aomori, Akita, Yamagata, Iwate, Miyagi, & Fukushima Prefectures...

Kokeshi, Yajiro-kei, Miyagi Prefecture, by Niiyama Keiimi (a rare kokeshi made by a woman.) H.12”(30.5cm) x Dia.1.875”(4.75cm.) Dentou, or "traditional," kokeshi hail from the northeastern part of Japan known as the Tohoku region. Tohoku is comprised of Aomori, Akita, Yamagata, Iwate, Miyagi, & Fukushima Prefectures...

Kokeshi, Togatta-kei, Miyagi Prefecture, by Satou Tetsurou. Birthdate = Showa 7 (1932) Jan. 25. H.11.75” x Dia.1.5”(30 x 4.5 cm) Dated (collector's date): 55.5.27 = 1980. Dentou, or "traditional," kokeshi hail from the northeastern part of Japan known as the Tohoku region. Tohoku is comprised of Aomori, Akita, Yamagata, Iwate, Miyagi, & Fukushima Prefectures...

Kokeshi, Tsuchiyuu-kei, Fukushima Prefecture, by Abe Ichiro. H.11.5”(29cm) x Dia.1.75”(4.5cm.) Dentou, or "traditional," kokeshi hail from the northeastern part of Japan known as the Tohoku region. Tohoku is comprised of Aomori, Akita, Yamagata, Iwate, Miyagi, & Fukushima Prefectures...

Kokeshi, Tsuchiyuu-kei, Fukushima Prefecture, by Jinnohara Kazunori. H.11.75” x Dia.1.75” (30cm x 4.5cm.) Dentou, or "traditional," kokeshi hail from the northeastern part of Japan known as the Tohoku region. Tohoku is comprised of Aomori, Akita, Yamagata, Iwate, Miyagi, & Fukushima Prefectures...

Kokeshi, Yajiro-kei, by Niiyama Shinji, Miyagi Prefecture. H.9.5” x Dia.1.25”. Dentou, or "traditional," kokeshi hail from the northeastern part of Japan known as the Tohoku region. Tohoku is comprised of Aomori, Akita, Yamagata, Iwate, Miyagi, & Fukushima Prefectures...

Kokeshi, Naruko-kei, Miyagi Prefecture, by Itou Shouichi. H.9.5” x Dia.1.875” ca. 1970-1980. Dentou, or "traditional," kokeshi hail from the northeastern part of Japan known as the Tohoku region. Tohoku is comprised of Aomori, Akita, Yamagata, Iwate, Miyagi, & Fukushima Prefectures...

Kokeshi, Sakunami-kei, Miyagi Prefecture, by Hiraga Teruyuki. Showa 47 (1972) March 1. H.11.75” x Dia.1.5”(24 x 3.25 cm) Inscription: Nagoya Kokeshi-kai, nihyaku kai, Hesei 7-gatsu, 9-nichi. (Nagoya Kokeshi Club, 200th Meeting, July 9, 1995) Dentou, or "traditional," kokeshi hail from the northeastern part of Japan known as the Tohoku region. Tohoku is comprised of Aomori, Akita, Yamagata, Iwate, Miyagi, & Fukushima Prefectures...

Kokeshi, Togatta-kei, by Satou Jirou, Miyagi Prefecture. Birth date = Taisho 4 (1915) July 13. H.9.5” x Dia.1.375”(24 x 3.5 cm) Dated: 59-sai (59 yrs old)=1974. Dentou, or "traditional," kokeshi hail from the northeastern part of Japan known as the Tohoku region. Tohoku is comprised of Aomori, Akita, Yamagata, Iwate, Miyagi, & Fukushima Prefectures...

Ainu carved wooden doll of woman in traditional Ainu dress. H.12.25"(31cm) x W.4"(10cm.) Finely sculpted features show elements of Ainu traditional apparel & appearance; mouth tattoo, head band and kimono with traditional patterns, and large beaded necklace.

Akebi Hato Guruma, Vine Pigeon on Wheels; Nozawa, Nagano Prefecture. L.4.75"(12cm) x W.2.375"(6cm) x H.2.5"(6.5cm.) ca. 1972, woven akebi vine. The region of Nozawa has long been known for vine weaving craftsmanship, producing utilitarian items like hats, baskets, and teapot trivets...

Kokeshi, folk toy of NE Japan. Wood, Height 10". Zao-kei (Zao Onsen [hot spring]) in Yamagata Prefecture. Made by Saitou Takeo, born on Nov. 29, 1929. Probably made in the late 1970's.

Kokeshi, folk toy of NE Japan. Wood, Height 9.875". Tougatta-kei, Miyagi Prefecture. Although of the Tougatta classification, the maker, Umiya Yoshiemon (Umitani Kichiemon?) lived in Sendai City. He was born in the 38th year of the Meiji Era (1905) and passed away on April 20th, 1985 at the age of 79. This particular kokeshi probably dates from the 1970's or earlier. The "bun" haristyle is an interesting feature of this kokeshi, which also appears on some other Tougatta style dolls.

Kokeshi, folk toy of NE Japan. Wood, Height 9.75". Kijiyama-kei of Akita Prefecture. Made by Satou Shuuichi, born Aug. 7, 1927. This kokeshi probably daes fromt he 1970's-1980's. One of the unique & interesting characteristics of Kijiyama style kokeshi is the depiction of the apron ("maekake" or "maedare") on the body of the doll.

Paper mache Daruma Dolls from Tamashima district of Kurashiki in Okayama Prefecture by Ono Ichi, ca. 1972. Pair or single, smaller (FI-8b): H. 4.875"(12.2cm) x W.3.5"(9cm.); larger (FI-8a): H.5.25"(13.25cm) x W.3.375"(8.5cm.) Painted paper mache. These dolls were made in 11 sizes ranging from 11 - 45cm. The small one here is the second smallest size made, known as "9-go", and the larger is an "8-go" size. Condition notes: The larger Daruma is intact but there are cracks in the paper and a number...

Kokeshi, wooden folk toy of NE Japan. Height: 3.75". This is an example of the "Naruko-kei" tradition of Miyagi Prefecture. This particular shape was called an "ezuko" (basket child) in the local Miyagi vernacular. The artisan was Sakurai Shouji, who was born on January 1st, 1927 (Showa 2.) It is not dated, but was most likely made during the 1960's or 1970's. For a brief story on "dentou" (traditional) kokeshi, plase see our weblog, which can be accessed through our Trocadero homepage.

Hirosaki Hato Bue, Clay Pigeon Whistle from Hirosaki, Aomori Prefecture. Painted clay; L.6"(15cm) x H.4"(10cm) x 2.5"(6.5cm.)ca. 1970's. Condition very good, small paint chip on left eye (see enlargement #3.) The hato bue has been a popular folk toy of Aomori, and other regions of Japan, since the Edo Period (1600-1868.) In particular, it is said that the fuedal lord of the Hirosaki district allowed local roof tile- making potters to use the fuedal kilns to make additional functional wares and f...

Kokeshi, folk toy of NE Japan. Wood, height 9.75". Yajiro-kei, Miyagi Prefecture. Made by Niiyama Hisaki, born Feb. 7, 1942. This kokeshi probably dates the early 1980's.