Have it delivered hassle-freeBuyer protectionAll Designer items curated by WhoppahDownload the Whoppah App – get alerts & sell with ease.
Have it delivered hassle-free
Vintage Sosaku Kokeshi Pair by Mamoru Izu
€55Bid from €49
Buy with confidence
Shop & pay safely with Buyer ProtectionDesigner items curated by WhoppahWe only pay the seller once you have safely received the itemTrusted payment methods
About this seller
Private sellerProduct description
Vintage Sosaku Kokeshi pair by Mamoru Izu. Mamoru Izu (1925–2019) was a renowned Japanese craftsman, known for his traditional kokeshi dolls. He was born on March 21, 1925, in the Ginzan region of Yamagata Prefecture and came from a family with a rich tradition in woodworking. He belonged to the Naruko kokeshi tradition and specifically represented the "Ginzan-kei" sub-style. His dolls are often referred to by collectors as "Oshin Kokeshi," a name associated with the famous Japanese TV series Oshin from the 1980s, in which his work was featured. His older brother, Sadao Izu, was his mentor in woodworking, but Sadao passed away in 1938 when Mamoru was still young. After his service as a volunteer in World War II (1943-1946), Mamoru resumed his woodworking business. For a significant period, he focused on running a restaurant named "Takimiya" and stopped making kokeshi dolls. Around 1966, he took up making them again, and from 1970 onwards, he began developing his own distinctive style, building upon the foundation laid by his brother Sadao. This specific type is also known as the Ginzan or Oshin Kokeshi. The dolls feature a characteristic, slender, and wavy Naruko hybrid style. They are hand-turned on a lathe and painted with traditional water-based ink. The faces display his characteristic naive, childlike expression with fine hairlines. The height is 11 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 items1Height11 cmWidth3 cmDepth2 cmSigns of usageScratches, Stains, Discoloring
Discover more
Seller information
About this seller
Private sellerKerkrade, NetherlandsOn Whoppah since April 2023 • 0 sales