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Whimsical, daring designs is thehallmark of Hashime Takahashi'ssōsakukokeshi -- this large,head-turning figurine is a vivid manifestation.
An early work byTakahashi-san dating back to the 1960s, this vintage figurine is rare. It issigned on the bottom by the author. The doll has imperfections (reflected inthe price), but is impressive and valuable nonetheless -- please review theimages carefully.
Height: 14.2" /36.1cm
Head diameter: 4.3" / 10.9 cm
Foot diameter: 2.9" / 7.4 cm
Weight: 2.9 lbs / 1,300 g
Hashime Takahashi高橋はしめ
Born in 1918 in Sendai, MiyagiPrefecture (the area is the birthplace of traditional kokeshi making), Takahashi-sanwas originally a fine artist/painter. His background also includestime spent as a craftsman of Yuzen silk dying factory that produced fabrics forkimono. It is no surprise that kimono is the omni-important element ofhis kokeshi. Known for treating each doll like a painted sculpture, his worksoften showcase kimono with multi-layering designs, evoking traditionalgarments, and painterly brushwork, resembling silk dyeing
Takahashi-san has adistinctive, accentuated approach to depicting the kimono. His figurinesfashion both painted and carved kimono, obi with exaggerated waists, andsupportive under- and over-garments such as scarves and sashes. His dollsstrike with bold, minimalistic body shapes, and the decorative motives rangefrom seasonal flowers such as realistically painted Plum flowers (Ume), Cherryblossoms (Sakura), and Japanese Iris (Ayame), to zodiac figures. Last but notleast, are the stylized faces with expressive eyes, small dot noses, and wispsof hair.
A recognized and widely admired artist, Takahashi-san is the recipient of numerous awards, icnluding the coveted Prime Minister's Award in All-Japansōsaku kokeshi competition (1967), the highest prize bestowed upon a kokeshi artist.
Takahashi-san passed away in 2002, and his son and disciple, Akinori Takahashi, has continued making a limited number of kokeshi dolls, continuing his father's artistic legacy.
Awards:
- 1953 Miyagi Prefecture RuralIndustry Exhibition; Miyagi Prefecture Governor's Award
- 1959 All Japan KokeshiCompetition; Mainichi Newspaper Award
- 1959 National Kokeshi DollExhibition; Artists Association Chairman's Award
- 1960 All Japan KokeshiCompetition; Japan Broadcasting Station Director's Award
- 1962 All Japan KokeshiCompetition; Yamagata City Mayor's Award
- 1963 National Kokeshi DollExhibition; Artists Association Chairman's Award
- 1964 All Japan RecommendedProducts Review Committee; Honorary President and Minister of InternationalTrade and Industry Award
- 1966 All Japan KokeshiCompetition; Miyagi Prefectural Governor's Award
- 1967 National Kokeshi DollExhibition; Prime Minister's Award
- 1967 Miyagi Prefectural ArtAssociation Crafts Exhibition; Miyagi Prefectural Assembly Speaker's Award
- 1969 National Kokeshi DollExhibition; Artists Association Chairman's Award
- 1996 Sendai City SkilledWorker Award
- 1996 Miyagi PrefectureOutstanding Skilled Worker Award
K1055
