Vintage Sosaku kokeshi by Sato Kouson

This is a unique and expressive Creative (Sosaku) Kokeshi doll by the artist Sato Kouson (佐藤耕雲, Satō Kōun, b. 1928), featuring a striking and dramatic design. Crafted from wood with a matte dark brown or black body, the doll exhibits a beautiful contrast with its light-wood head, which showcases a powerful wood grain pattern, particularly in the dark hair section on the sides and back. The face is painted with serene, sleepy closed eyes, a small red nose, and a simple mouth. The head features an elegant decoration of carved and painted plum blossoms (ume) in white and pale orange, which gracefully continue onto the doll's back, a thoughtful design choice that connects the front and rear aspects. The dark body serves as a striking backdrop for the finely painted plum branches; the larger branch features intricate yellow stamens and delicate petals in red, white, and orange, with a graceful smaller branch extending to the right. The overall effect is sophisticated and dramatic, showcasing the distinct artistic vision of Sato Kouson.

Height: 19cm

Weight: 570g