{"product_id":"v-7","title":"Vintage Daruma kokeshi by Mitsuo Sato (1932-2010)","description":"\u003cp\u003eMitsuo Sato (1932–2010) was a highly celebrated master of the Yonezawa-style Kokeshi (specifically the Tsutsumi or Yonezawa lineage) from Yamagata Prefecture.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHe was famous for his expressive brushwork, particularly his bold, swirling ink lines.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHe won several awards in Japan, including the prestigious Prime Minister’s Award, for his contribution to traditional wooden folk arts.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe top half acts as a lid, and the bottom half is the base.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe calligraphy on top of the lid (second image) reads 達磨 (Daruma) in incredibly stylized, fluid Zen brushwork.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHistorically, these wooden containers were used in traditional settings to hold incense (kogo), small tea ceremony sweets, or loose tea leaves. Today, they are highly collectible art pieces.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe Front Inscription: “寿” (Kotobuki)\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe bold kanji character painted on the front of the belly reads:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e寿 (Kotobuki)\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis is one of the most auspicious characters in Japanese culture. It translates to “Longevity,” “Long Life,” or “Congratulations\/Blessing.” Combined with the fierce face of the Daruma (who represents enduring resilience), the doll acts as a powerful household talisman wishing the owner a long, healthy, and successful life capable of overcoming any hardship.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eVisual Style \u0026amp; Features\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe Expression:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Notice how the eyes are fully painted in. Unlike paper-mâché wish-making Darumas where you paint the eyes yourself, traditional wooden folk art Darumas are painted complete by the artist, capturing a permanent expression of intense mindfulness.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe Beard and Cloak:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Mitsuo Sato used sweeping, thick black ink strokes to represent the heavy, flowing robes and beard of the monk Bodhidharma. This bold, abstract style perfectly contrasts with the natural, warm tone of the polished wood grain beneath.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHeight:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e 11,5 cm\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWeight:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e 580 g\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePlease look carefully at the pictures to determine the condition of the item.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"kokeshiparadise","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54191526248794,"sku":null,"price":74.5,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0656\/3518\/8995\/files\/29C629F2-0784-426B-9D5B-51591C478437.jpg?v=1779527451","url":"https:\/\/kokeshiparadise.com\/products\/v-7","provider":"kokeshiparadise","version":"1.0","type":"link"}