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Vintage Nanbu-kei Kokeshi by Kakuhei Sasaki (1933-2007)
€55Bid from €50
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Vintage Nanbu-kei Kokeshi by Kakuhei Sasaki (1933-2007)
The most unique feature of the Nambu style is that the head is attached to the body with a plug-in mechanism. This allows the head to rotate, wobble, or nod freely. For this reason, these toy-like dolls were formerly also called kina-kina (or kinakinabokko).
Historically, traditional Nambu dolls were made entirely of bare and unpainted wood, intended purely as teething rings or rattles for babies.
Kakuhei Sasaki (佐々木覚平) was born on June 5, 1933, in Yokokawame, Waga District, Iwate Prefecture, Japan. He was the third son of woodturner Yoshirō Sasaki and his wife, Sen.
He began learning the craft of woodturning under the guidance of his father while still in elementary school. Throughout his adult life, he combined the production of traditional kokeshi (of the Nanbu-kei family/the Nanbu-kei system) with work in metalworking and agriculture. He crafted the pieces primarily during periods of rest on the land.
From 1969, he worked closely with researchers and collectors to study his family's history and woodworking traditions. He unearthed antique pieces, conducted interviews, and compiled genealogical data. This led him to specialize in the restoration and reproduction of historical forms of traditional Shidotaira kokeshi, such as the characteristic cape (mantō) style.
His wife, Matsue, also learned to turn and paint the dolls, although the vast majority of the works were sold under the name Kakuhei.
Kakuhei Sasaki passed away on November 11, 2007, at the age of 75.
The height is 19 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 to a greater or lesser extent.
Specifications
ConditionGoodColorsMulti ColorMaterialWoodNumber of items1Height19 cmWidth4 cmDepth5 cmSigns of usageDiscoloring, Dents
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Private sellerKerkrade, NetherlandsOn Whoppah since April 2023 • 0 sales