Vintage Kokeshi, wooden Japanese doll, from notable kokeshi artist Tetsuo Watanabe.
This kokeshi features a peony flower also known as the 'King of Flowers', in Japan, the peony flower is used as a symbol of good fortune, bravery, and honor.
The face is framed with black bangs and side hair fringe with red bows and has eyes called Fatae-Mabuta (double lid), a nose called Tare-Bata (long nose), and a simple indication of a mouth with red lips. The piece is signed by the artist on the bottom.
This is a vintage figurine, and there are dings, scratches and ageing/wear in the lacquer finish - please review the images and carefully (zoom in) to assess the condition of the item.
Tsuchiyu Kokeshi originated in Fukushima City around the 1840. Typically the head is smaller than other Kokeshi dolls and on top of the head there is a black coiled pattern like a fish eye that is called “Jya-no-me” or snake eye in Japanese. There is also a red ribbon-like design on each side of the forehead called “Kase” in Japanese. There is a pattern of stripes around the body, which is painted while the doll is still rotating on the lathe, called “Rokuro-sen” in Japanese. The latter style is also known for the Rokuro Moyo style of circular painting. As a matter of fact, the artists of this type are famous for being the most accomplished in the circular style of painting, as they take it several steps further by either reversing the line at some point or by zig-zagging the lines periodically.