"Women Preparing Food", hand painted pottery, 1950s Japanese Hakata Urasaki Doll, unmarked. Comes from the estate sale. According to the former owner, this Hakata doll was brought by the American GI from Okinawa in the early 1950s.

The figure is c.7.1/2" [c.19cm] tall; c 8" x 6" [25cm x 15cm] hand-painted fired white clay, very good condition.

During the Korean War, Hakata figures were the favorite souvenirs among American soldier. Normally, souvenir Hakata figures sold at the U.S. military bases in the 1950s, were varnished and received proper red mark in English, including "washable" on the bottom. This particular Hakata figure is not varnished and is unmarked.

Initially Hakata dolls were traditional hand-painted clay dolls made as offerings in Buddhist temples. At the end of the 19th century, Hakata dolls transformed from simple fired clay toys to works of art. Master craftsman Rokusaburo Shirouzu began to study color theory, human proportions, and other modern artistic theories and techniques under Itusyo Yada, an oil painter, which led to the production of more realistic Hakata. Yoichi Kojima, a student of Rokusaburo Shirouzu, won a gold medal in Paris' 1925 International Exhibition of Modern Decorative and Industrial Arts for his Hakata dolls, and fellow students Kihei Harada and Yoichi Oayu were awarded silver medals. The original Hakata Urasaki figures are famous for their realistic features and great attention to details.

Rates vary per zone/ country. We will adjust shipping costs with the invoice.

Note:
Country restrictions may apply - the lesser expansive Priority shipping may not be available to all countries.

US: Priority (c.2-4 days) -------- $58.50
Canada: Priority (c.2-6 weeks) --- $65.50
World: Priority (c.2-8 weeks) ---- $95.50