Posted 12 years ago
AmberRose
(364 items)
Ever have one of those thrift or flea market days where you are just one person behind? The guy or gal in front of you gets everything that you would pick up? You kind of follow them around hoping they will put it down? That was me today. I only made two quick trips into thrifts and everyone had the best stuff...already in their hands! Ooooooofff!
However, this tall fella jumped right into mine. He is about a foot tall, pencil thin, widening to about an inch at the base and very cute. His head wobbles around, purposely. I would believe he is a Kokeshi Doll but the writing looks Chinese??? Not that I am an expert by any means...
What do you think? Any input is very valuable to me.
Kanji script is "Han-zi" or Chinese writing style that first appeared in Japan in the period just after Christ's death: nearly two thousand years ago. So it's Kanji script and Kokeshi. I think it's amazing!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kanji
It is lovely. One thing you may not know is hat this kokeshi was made in or after 1958, the year they built the Tokyo Communications Tower because the funny body is a representation of the Tower :) (http://www.japantomo.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/Tokyo-Tower_temple.jpg). I wish I could read Japanese but I could try sending the picture with the writing to a friend, maybe he can tell us about what it says... I'm guessing this kokeshi could have been made as a souvenir to celebrate the building of the tower...
Wow Guys, thanks for all the info!!
V, totally interesting. I didn't know that but it makes sense.
B, thank you for your support (it was super Tuesday and I couldn't resist)
Austro! Terrific info! I haven't had a chance to look for him as it was my hubby's b-day yesterday and I threw him a small party. You have me so excited about this fella!
Hope you all have great a great day!
"Tokyo Tower, the highest in the World" this is what's written on this kokeshi :) It doesn't tell us much about when was it made but at least we know it is post-1958. I've been looking for "tokyo tower kokeshi" on the internet and just a few of them appear with towers painted on them, but no doll with the shape of the tower itself... my guessing is that it's a souvenir of the time but who can be sure of it? :)
Thanks Austro! You are both a gentleman and a scholar.
Please thank your friend for me as well.
I think I'm blushing... :$ lol
I think this is good news about the kokeshi: the first character, the one at the right top, means "world" BUT it is the old kanji for it, not the oneyoung Japanese learn these days... as my friend says "it's the kanji grandparents use" so unless the tradition in kokeshi making is using the old charcaters, this really seems to be an old kokeshi from around 1958... a "midcenturykokeshi" LOL :) Have a nice day and a great weekend!!!!
I think this is good news about the kokeshi: the first character, the one at the right top, means "world" BUT it is the old kanji for it, not the oneyoung Japanese learn these days... as my friend says "it's the kanji grandparents use" so unless the tradition in kokeshi making is using the old charcaters, this really seems to be an old kokeshi from around 1958... a "midcenturykokeshi" LOL :) Have a nice day and a great weekend!!!!
Thanks Austro! I love how the Japanese have the best names for everything but I particularly like you "mid centurykokeshi" idea. Why not, everyone advertises everything this way. You just crack me up Austro!
Yep but on vacation. Found a good vein in the thrifting mountain. hornsea, Miss Priss cookie jar, mystery piece, 50s bar ware and more! Unfortunately between a crazy month at work and this trip I havent had the time to post. Still need to post that Heath for you too!
Finally, it has been crazy dry for months! Got a cool aluminum glass set (six pieces) in a holder too. Very fun. One day of awesome after months of slim pickings...it was beautiful!
Have a great time in Las Vegas, Amber! The guys from Pawn Stars are great fun. Enjoy!
Thanks!
Well I sat next to a local on my way into town. She said that the store was wasn't in the greatest part of town AND always had a line around the block. I then asked the cabby who picked us up, and he said the same thing. We did debate going but decided that it really wasn't worth it.
Thank you all!