This exceptional Kokeshi doll coming from a retired Kokeshi businessman in Japan is very large: 46 cm and weighing more than 2 KG! It is an outstanding example of the style Takahashi Tatsuro is famous for: exquisite dolls depicting famous poems. This Kokeshi is entitled, “Sansa Shigure”, and depicts a famous Heian Period court song about waiting for Spring. The Haiku reads: “The clouds are gone and sparrows are telling each other tales”. The head of the doll has traditional overtones of the Tougatta style with bangs, side hair fringes, and an expressive face with arched upper eyebrows and eyes, a teardrop nose, and red lips. The transition from the body to the head is beautifully turned, with the collar of the Kimono sensitively fashioned. The body is done by the Sosaku standards and is decorated with a bamboo tree and two lovely black and white sparrows sitting on its branches. They are accompanied by a beautifully written poem noted above. From the earliest stages of Japanese history, poetry and song have been very important, and any distinction between the two is not clear. What is clear is that poetry is almost always imagined as being recited aloud. Poetry and music are the themes of these beautifully rendered figures. The doll is finished with a natural-colored candle wax, (Rosoku no ro). Takahashi-san’s work is very rare and highly collectible. The doll has the artist's stamp on the bottom. Considering the age, (over 60 years old) this wonderful doll is in good shape. there are minor damages and dirt but nothing distracting. Please take a good look at the detailed pictures to imagine this very special item in your collection. More amazing kokeshi from Takahashi Tatsuro will be auctioned by me soon. Shipping from NL, fast and insured. No extra import duty for EU members.