Kokeshi doll by hideo ishihara 1925-99 japan

Here is a very rare sculpture by master hideo ishihara, unfortunately damaged. There are many visible gaps. Shock in the hairstyle. Here we see a very modern treatment of the kimono, painted bright red and black. The hair treatment is comprehensive. The synthetic and geometric style is typical of the well-known ishihara 1925-1979, an influential artist of the sosaku kokeshi movement. Adept of zen, the sobriety and spontaneity of the forms had to directly touch the sensitivity of the spectator. Few strokes or volumes but strong expressiveness. Any superfluous detail is neglected. We can consider this type of dolls as zen buddhist meditation statuettes. ----- about kokeshis kokeshi appear in the years 1820-40 (end of the edo period). Originally, they were made from scraps of wood by artisans and peasants and sold to the people of the city. The oldest have a keel shape and may have a movable head with red in dominant color. They are originally made of wood (cherry, pear, maple). They were toys for girls, or offered as a token of love or friendship; or symbolized the desire to have a healthy child. The doll comes from a shinto communion with nature (forest / wood / landscape). Shinto places links between landscapes and feminine forms. They are, modesty, discretion, femininity, feminine ideal. Their bun is an evocation of buddha. A certificate, a notice on the artist, as well as a detailed explanation on the art of kokeshis will be given to the purchaser.