Yanagi Sori "Old Shop Takakame / Pigeon Whistle" / Turtle Cart Chair Mingei Folk Toy Yanagi Soetsu Folk Art

This is a pigeon whistle produced by Sori Yanagi, an industrial and product designer, commissioned from Takagame, a long-established maker of Naruko Kokeshi dolls in Miyagi Prefecture. It was born in 1964 through the friendship between Yanagi and the then owner, Takeo Takahashi.

Using a woodworking lathe, the rotating body was skillfully utilized. The head and body were turned separately and then joined together. A hollow was created in the body and carved to complete the wooden part. Finally, the pigeon whistle was painted according to a sketch drawn by Yanagi.

To preserve the original design, the wood grain and texture were carefully selected. Furthermore, from the sawing of the raw wood to the painting, everything is done by hand to achieve the whistle's tone. Production has become difficult in recent years, and it seems there is no set arrival date at the Yanagi Shop in Yotsuya.

This pigeon whistle was purchased around 2015 at the Yanagi Shop and has been stored in a dark place at home. I don't recall it coming with a box originally.

The whistle has not been blown, so it is considered unused. There is a small black smudge-like mark on the back of the pigeon's head, which the Yanagi Shop staff mentioned often occurs during the production process.

The material is Amelanchier, dimensions are width 9 × height 7.5 cm, and food-grade dyes are used. The pigeon's eyes are red, and the wings are painted a deep green.

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