Posted 11 years ago
vintnik
(3 items)
Came across what I think is a kokeshi doll. It stands about 5.25 inches tall and the base is about 2.25 inches wide. There's also a stamp with some kanji writing at the bottom.
I've been looking online but can't find anything similar. I've learned that the dolls vary based on the regions where they were created. I was hoping somebody might be able to shed some light on this lovely doll's origin.
Thanks.
vetraio50, aghcollect, and sean68 - thanks for the loves!
Hi, Yes, I'd definitely say it was a kokeshi doll. Obviously it's not a traditional ("dento") kokeshi doll, so it's what's termed as a "creative" kokeshi where the original artist has more freedom to experiment with hair, face and body shape and decoration.
Since the bottom has a stamp, rather than an artist's signature, I would imagine it's more of a mass produced piece. In saying that I'm not meaning to be offensive - most of my collection of "nodder" kokeshi dolls don't have any maker's marks at all!. I'm afraid I can't identify which part of Japan it comes from, modern kokeshi come from all over, so you'll probably just have to keep looking online until you find a similar style one which someone bought first hand. She is very cute ("kawaii") !
Arrigato gozaimashita, japanfanbev. Thanks for your insight. I thinks she's kawaii too! I was hoping it might be doll from the sixties or seventies. I'll have to keep looking online for more info. Thanks, again!
Thanks bratjdd and aeon.
Did a little more research on this kokeshi doll. Now think that the kanji characters at the bottom of the doll match those found on dolls created by Sanpei Yamanaka, a creative kokeshi doll maker working out of Yonezawa City in Japan. Would anybody be able to confirm this?
This is definitely Sanpei's Kokeshi if you would like to see more of his Kokeshi doll types this is his website www5.omn.ne.jp/~sanpei/kokeshi.html
Thanks for the confirmation and link Soulportal. Really appreciate it!