Posted 3 years ago
Janes
(15 items)
I was at an estate yesterday that had lots of Kokeshi dolls. I bought 4 that I thought interesting. I think all are signed. I think they are all vintage, but can anyone help with the decade? Meaning of different designs.
Can anyone read writing? Or tell how to get it translated. I tried google lens.
From left to right: and maybe
1.Writing on bottom
2. #357 on bottom and signature on front?
3. on side
4. On hat
I have read history in general. Anything you tell me about them individually would be helpful.
The girl with the straw hat is my favorite.
Thanks
That's a great variety of kokeshi there.
This website is the bomb for checking on kokeshi, lots of info and regions, types, names.
http://www.soulportals.com/kokeshi/Album%20Signatures/
The moderator of that site also moderates a really good Facebook group if you want to get hooked.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/Kokeshi.Village
The kokeshi on the left is an ejiko (baby in a basket) type of dento (traditional style) kokeshi doll. She looks to be of the Naruko style - I’ll see whether I can find the signature for you on the Soul Portals site.
The others are omiyage (souvenir) kokeshi, which is the mainstay of my collection.
Omiyage kokeshi are not often signed, as several people worked on different aspects of each of them, for example someone may have shaped the kokeshi on a lathe and someone else may have painted them. Any wording on them usually details the place/tourist attraction which they represent or, in some cases, a poem, although your taller thinner one could possibly have a signature on the back?
I concur with racer4four’s advice re. the best website & Facebook page for identifying/broadening your knowledge of kokeshi.
I think I’ve found a match for the (beautifully clear) ejiko’s signature: Sato Minoru in the Naruko style, as I suspected.
Thank you racer4four and japanfanbev . Very helpful! The baby in the basket is my favorite.