Kokeshi Awakening Of Love - Circa 1970-80 Okamoto Usaburo - Ham1024 18

A young girl wearing a plum blossom patterned kimono. Shy and reserved, the expression of the soft and dreamy face underlined by the very long eyelashes and the position of the slightly inclined head. In Japanese tradition, the plum blossom is a symbol of rebirth and strength, because it blooms in the still cold month of February. There is a reference here to "moe", a traditional concept referring to the state of growing plants and to Beauty. Japan sees beauty in everything that is "akanai", that is to say fragile and ephemeral. Thus Okamoto had titled this doll "Koigokoro", which means "Awakening of love".------Founder of the company "Usaburo Kokeshi", born in Shinto in 1917. Active 1945-80. During the war, he was in charge of turning and shaping metal. He thus invented new processes and styles, introducing techniques using turning machines, and painting combined with intaglio, polishing, and stencil drawing. He loved the grain of keyaki and chestnut wood, which until then were little used and were very common in his native region. In 1979, he built a new workshop. Usaburo's kokeshi are called "modern kokeshi," differentiating themselves from dento (traditional) kokeshi. They are characterized by the absence of conventional forms. The basic models developed by Usaburo have hair cut into a helmet, a plump body. Usaburo participated in annual competitions from 1961 and won numerous awards. His name has become synonymous with a typology of doll.------ About kokeshi: they were toys for little girls, or given as a token of love or friendship; or symbolized the desire for a healthy child. They are said to have a talismanic function, are modesty, and gentleness. They are also said to have Buddhist origins. Their hairstyles evoke the Buddha's bun. A note on the artist as well as the history and function of kokeshis will be attached. This is a vintage doll that may have minor imperfections.