“Cedar” - Vintage Kokeshi 

dimensions
height: 30.5cm

By Ryozo Tsujita

Born in Odawara City, Tsujita-san was drafted into the military during WWII, and was held captive in a Siberian Labor Camp in the Soviet Union until sometime in the late 1950s. Attempting to recover his lost youth, perhaps, Ryozo began making Sosaku dolls in 1961 in his hometown of Odawara, where he resided until his death. A multi-award winner, he won the coveted Prime Minister’s Award in 1981. His is one of fifty, (50), local Sosaku artists featured in a small museum in nearby Hakone.

Many of his pieces are differently treated, with the natural contrasting head, and the natural grooved and stained body. He illustrates obi, inset into the doll with a hemp motif, (In early times, “asa” was an important source of cloth, and hemp leaves themselves formed the basis of a variety of hemp patterns). History tells us that the ‘God of Hemp’ is revered at Oasahiko Shrine in Tokushima. He additionally renders spring with cherry blossoms, wheat, trees, and stars to give character to his dolls. He seems to enjoy the rendering of long flowing unbound hair, (taregami) and details such as the inlay of silver motifs on the body.

And finally it is unusual to see a doll made of three bulbous forms that compose the body and head, utilizing different woods to express the desired detail.

See all our Vintage Kokeshi.

Kokeshi originated from the north of Japan, in the mountainous Tohoku region, a popular hot springs area. Histories tell us that the local wood workers used excess pieces of timber to craft simple toys and teething aids for the local children. During the 1800's, many people started to visit the onsen (hot spring inns) in Tohoku and the toys became popular souvenirs to take home.

Kokeshi can be broadly divided into two types: traditional (dento) and creative (sosaku). The traditional kokeshi were first made during the Edo period, some sources suggest, as early as the 1600's. Certainly by the late 19th century they had gained popularity throughout Japan and are still made to this day. Sosaku kokeshi production began at the end of the Second World War.