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Vintage Nagoya Sansaburō kokeshi by Nobuyoshi Matsutani
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Private sellerProduct description
Vintage Nagoya Sansaburō kokeshi by Nobuyoshi Matsutani. Nagoya Sansaburō was a famous, handsome samurai from the late 16th and early 17th centuries. In reality (or according to legend), he was the lover or muse of Izumo no Okuni. Because Sansaburō died young, Okuni often performed scenes in her early kabuki shows in which she danced, dressed in men's clothing, and pretended to summon his spirit to dance with her. Artists such as Nobuyoshi Matsutani sometimes made these puppets as a pair. The male version (Sansaburō) is characterized by a typical samurai or male style, often featuring a sword or clothing motif befitting the theater duo that pioneered kabuki theater. Nobuyoshi Matsutani was born in 1955 in Shimane Prefecture, Japan. He began producing kokeshi around 1981 and later opened a specialty shop for wooden dolls and toys, located near the famous Izumo Taisha Sanctuary. Although trained in the traditions of the craft, he is primarily known for his expressive, modern, and creative interpretations of wooden dolls (sosaku kokeshi). Many of his designs borrow elements from local culture, traditional hairstyles (such as Edo styles), and symbolism, often combined with sleek, minimalist forms and natural wood grain. The date on the bottom (1989, 5.2) confirms that this piece was handmade and signed by him in May 1989. The height is 18 cm; please view the photos for the condition. Please note: The kokeshi dolls are not new, so there will always be scratches, discoloration, and/or cracks present to a greater or lesser extent.
Specifications
ConditionGoodColorsMulti ColorMaterialWoodNumber of items1Height19 cmWidth2 cmDepth6 cmSigns of usageStains, Discoloring
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Private sellerKerkrade, NetherlandsOn Whoppah since April 2023 • 0 sales