Carved and Expressionistically Painted Wooden Head Okakura Kabuza with a raffia loop already

with a raffia loop already attached for hanging on the wall

There are many good bud vases out there

There is no inset on the back

Each is signed on the underside and there is a mark on the side of the one with the wider banding

Carved and Expressionistically Painted Wooden Head Okakura Kabuza with a raffia loop alreadyI'd guess this great carved wood head was once part of a puppet of some sort; there are openings at both ends via which I imagine a body and perhaps a hat on top were attached. Now, it would sit happily on a shelf, with those intense big blue eyes keeping a keen eye on things! The head itself is painted a good dark green, with expressionistic yellow and red flourishes all over. The flattish sides are especially great, with deeply carved ears popping