Sadao Kishi ‘Izu no Odoriko’ Kokeshi – 1970, Japan

Creative Japanese kokeshi by Sadao Kishi, model Izu no Odoriko, dating from 1970, Japan.

The title Izu no Odoriko translates as “The Dancing Girl of Izu” and refers to the well-known Japanese story of the same name.

The kokeshi depicts an elegant young woman in traditional dress, an elaborate updo and a round parasol. The soft natural wood tone is combined with painted floral motifs in white, orange, pink and purple.

Dimensions: height 25 cm, diameter 7 cm.

The original box has been preserved and bears the inscription Mai Sugata, together with a label referring to the 50th anniversary celebration of Meiji Jingū in 1970. This allows the piece to be dated quite precisely to around that year.

A refined and expressive sōsaku kokeshi in which Kishi combines traditional Japanese themes with the stylised design associated with creative kokeshi from the Shōwa period.