Naruko Kokeshi Shikishi by Yusa Fukuju | 24 × 27 cm

This vintage Japanese shikishi depicts a stylised kokeshi surrounded by bold chrysanthemums, painted in a striking yet beautifully balanced palette of red, black and the natural off-white surface of the board. The serene closed eyes and tiny red lips contrast beautifully with the strong graphic floral motifs.

The work is signed なるこ 遊佐福寿 – Naruko, Yusa Fukuju and bears the artist's red seal. Yusa Fukuju (遊佐福寿, 1930–2001) was a traditional kokeshi artisan from Naruko in Miyagi Prefecture. He learned woodturning and kokeshi decoration from his father, Takahashi Mori, continuing a family lineage that reached back to his grandfather Takahashi Kanji, an important figure within the Naruko tradition.

Fukuju was known for his close study of earlier Naruko forms and in particular the work of Takahashi Kanji. Chrysanthemums, a recurring motif within Naruko kokeshi, also form the heart of this composition. Broad red flowers and dark leaves seem to grow directly from the kokeshi figure, bringing portrait and ornament together as a single graphic image.

Painted shikishi are a documented part of Fukuju's oeuvre. Signed, hand-painted kokeshi shikishi by the artisan are recorded in Japan, including examples dating from the early 1960s. This particular work is undated.

Dimensions: approx. 24 × 27 cm

Would you like to discover more about shikishi and their place within Japanese art and culture? Read more in our Tamashii Guide.

Every vintage piece in our collection has its own story and bears the marks of its past. Please examine the photographs carefully for an honest impression of its condition and any signs of age or use.