SOLD: Modern Creative Kokeshi, Kiyoshi Saito, Set of 3 #72699
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NAME: Modern creative Japanese kokeshi, set of 3, signature board
MAKER: Kiyoshi Saito
SIZE: 10", 8", 4-3/4" (25.5, 18 & 12.5cm), diameter of the largest doll is 4-5/8", combined weight 7 lbs, 5oz.
CONDITION: Very good condition. The small doll has two dents on the backside. The wood on the left side of the large doll has some irregularities but was fixed by the artist (woodfill). The green tips on some of the leaves may be fading.
NOTES: Per website "Creative Kokeshi Square" (kokeshi-sousaku.com), Mr. Saito was born in 1948 and has won multiple awards including the Prime Minister Award in 1998 at the All Gunma Modern Kokeshi Competition. Have been unable to find any other information on the artist.
Name of the doll set is "Sei Kurabe", which means "comparison". There is an old proverb that says "donguri no sei kurabe" or comparing the height of acorns. This set may have been somewhat fashioned after that saying, however, it actually means there is no discernible difference.
I believe this set won the "Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries" prize in 1988. A label on the bottom with the name of the doll states "63" which is the year 1988. The signature board indicates the award name. There is also a number "19". This was probably a limited edition of which this set is #19.
The dolls are somewhat acorn shaped and are wrapped in green tipped leaves with the small one leaning in the opposite direction. The design was done with the burnt wood technique. These are very precious, even more so in person, as well as a rare and unusual find.
International Customers: Estimated shipping is US$92.00. You will be invoiced for the difference between actual cost - less shipping paid.
This product was added to our catalog on Saturday 08 February, 2020.
