Kokeshi vintage 1970 by master Yamanaka Sanpei

Kokeshi doll - tinted turned wood - japan circa 1970. Artist: master yamanaka sanpei (1926 - 2012). Influenced by buddhism, the artist seeks the play of color and grain of wood. The headdresses evoke the stupa (buddhist symbol, or buddha's bun). The artist's signature. He won more than 25 awards between 1962-86. A gallery certificate is issued. History of kokeshis: originally, were made from wood falls by the peasants in winter and sold to the people of the city. So they have the appearance of bowling. They were toys for girls, or offered as a token of love or friendship; symbolized the desire to have a child. The doll comes from a shinto communion with nature (forest / wood / landscape). Shinto places links between landscapes and feminine forms. They are, modesty, discretion, femininity, feminine ideal. A double category appears around 1950: traditional kokeshi (keel appearance) and creative kokeshi (sosaku), free of shapes and décor. Symbol of lost childhood, they now evolve with the worlds manga and kawaii, there are a hundred variants.

Ref. : Q8EBB2K4