This vintage Sosaku Kokeshi pair is a handcrafted work by the award-winning artist Sanpei Yamanaka 三平山中 (1926-1992). These stout, rounded dolls are carved from natural wood, using deep vertical grooves to define their hairstyles and lines to suggest the folds of a kimono. Their minimalist faces feature peaceful, narrowed eyes and a tiny dab of red for the mouth, all while highlighting the organic flow of the wood grain.
Yamanaka-san was born in Yonezawa, Yamagata Prefecturea and was a celebrated photographer, transitioned his artistic focus to the creative kokeshi, eventually winning the prestigious Prime Minister Award in 1979.
Height: ca. 11 cm
Diameter: ca. 10 cm
Weight: ca. 990 g (both together)
Signature: Both dolls are signed by the artist with his characteristic red painted signature, which reads 三平 (Sanpei).
Condition: great vintage condition with just minor signs of age (see images for details).
Please note that all items in my shop are vintage and may show signs of age, including scratches, tarnishing, and other imperfections that add to their character. Please refer to the photos for a detailed view of each item's condition. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out before purchasing. All images are of the actual product. However, please be aware that colors may appear slightly different on screen due to display settings.
