Vintage Japanese Kokeshi – Shingata (New Style) – Kōjō no Tsuki Model – Signed Shūhō – 30.5 cm

📐 Features

Origin: Japan, discovered in Shizuoka Prefecture
Estimated period: Shōwa era, 1970s
Style: Shingata kokeshi / regional souvenir kokeshi (新型こけし)
Height: 30.5 cm
Material: Turned wood, hand-painted decoration, glossy finish
Signature: Shūhō 秀峰 on the base
Condition: Very good vintage condition, no notable marks, stains, or defects in the wood, well-preserved paint.

Description

This shingata kokeshi signed Shūhō 秀峰, a shingata kokeshi artisan active in the 1970s, is dedicated to Sendai (仙台) and the famous Kōjō no Tsuki (荒城の月), literally "The Moon Over the Ruined Castle." Its body combines Japanese calligraphy, a crescent moon, pine trees, flowers, and an old Japanese castle, in a composition that directly evokes the melancholic atmosphere of the poem.

Written by Doi Bansui and then set to music by Taki Rentarō at the beginning of the 20th century, Kōjō no Tsuki became one of the most famous Japanese songs of its era. The text evokes the ruins of an old castle under the moonlight, as a meditation on the passage of time, the disappearance of ancient splendors, and the memory of places. Doi Bansui, originally from Sendai, notably cited Aoba Castle among the landscapes that inspired him, which gives full meaning here to the mention Sendai 仙台 painted on the kokeshi.

The soft and simple face typical of shingata contrasts with the detailed decoration, painted in black, gray, white, and red tones on clear varnished wood.

About shingata kokeshi

Shingata kokeshi, "modern kokeshi," developed widely in post-war Japan, alongside traditional kokeshi. Intended primarily for trade and souvenirs, they adopt free forms, regional decorations, and easily recognizable cultural themes.

This kokeshi by Shūhō perfectly illustrates this production: its decoration associates Sendai with Kōjō no Tsuki, a work linked to the poet Doi Bansui and the image of Aoba Castle. These vintage models are now appreciated for their graphics, their history, and their typically Shōwa character.

🦝 Our opinion

A kokeshi with a superb design, featuring a true cultural identity around Sendai and the famous poem Kōjō no Tsuki!
We are fans of the Japanese castle under the moon motif! An ideal kokeshi for collectors, lovers of vintage Japan, or those seeking an authentic Japanese decoration with a story!