🌿The term shingata, similarly to imayō (今様) can be used to describe “new style” or “modern” Kokeshi, those reflective of the present era. Derived from ima (今, meaning “now”) and yō (様, meaning “style” or “manner”), the expression was introduced by Emi Yonezawa of Gallery Shin, a passionate collector and seller of Kokeshi based in Japan.
🏵️Shingata referred to works that closely followed the conventions of dentō (伝統) or “traditional” Kokeshi, which are categorized into 12 distinct regional styles. These styles are governed by strict family lineage, measurements, and artistic registrations—many of which are still maintained today by institutions such as the Kamei Museum in Japan. If a doll bore resemblance to a dentō Kokeshi but deviated in design or lacked official registration, it was not considered “traditional.”
🍃Originally, the term shingata applied specifically to pieces created by traditional artisans who introduced subtle innovations while remaining rooted in their familial techniques. Over time, however, it also came to include certain sōsaku (creative) works, especially those echoing the visual language of dentō Kokeshi but conceived outside its inherited framework.
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