One off a kind Sosaku kokeshi by Megumi Nozawa

Autumn Colors by Megumi Nozawa is a charming and expressive sosaku kokeshi that beautifully captures the warmth and serenity of the Japanese autumn season. Created by the award-winning artist Megumi Nozawa, whose work is celebrated for its joyful expressions, intricate carving, and richly decorated kimono designs, this piece reflects her distinctive artistic style.  

The doll features a softly rounded face with a peaceful, contented smile framed by glossy black hair. Its elegant kimono is adorned with a vibrant pattern of stylized flowers and foliage in shades of gold, orange, red, and green, evoking the rich colours of autumn leaves at their seasonal peak. Fine engraved and hand-painted details add depth and texture, showcasing Nozawa’s mastery of both carving and decorative painting.  

The title Autumn Colors perfectly conveys the atmosphere of the piece: a celebration of nature’s transition into autumn, where warm hues replace the bright tones of summer and create a sense of harmony, reflection, and quiet beauty. The kokeshi radiates a feeling of happiness and calm, embodying the artist’s philosophy of creating works that bring joy and peace to those who view them.  

Height: 15,5cm

Weight: 610g

Megumi Nozawa is a highly skilled and multi-award-winning sōsaku kokeshi artist whose work is celebrated for its warmth, elegance, and emotional expression. Born in 1949 in São Paulo, Brazil, she later moved to Japan, where she developed a deep appreciation for traditional Japanese craftsmanship and artistic culture.

Remarkably, Megumi Nozawa began creating kokeshi dolls only in her sixties, proving that artistic passion can flourish at any stage of life. She studied under renowned kokeshi artists including Yuko Yamazaki, Ichiko Yahagi, and Etsuko Tokumaru, refining her own distinctive style through years of dedication and experimentation.

Currently based in Minato Ward, Tokyo, Megumi Nozawa actively participates in kokeshi exhibitions throughout Japan and is recognized as a respected member of the Japanese kokeshi community. Her creations often reflect memories from childhood, everyday moments, and the quiet beauty of human emotion. Through carving, painting, and pyrography techniques, she produces dolls that radiate serenity, happiness, and contemplation.

Her kokeshi are especially admired for their:

• joyful facial expressions,
• colorful kimono designs,
• delicate floral motifs,
• refined wood carving,
• and harmonious artistic balance.

Awards & Recognition

Megumi Nozawa has received numerous prestigious awards at the National Modern Kokeshi Exhibitions, including:

• 2010 — Newcomer Award
• 2012 — Special Jury Award
• 2014 — Japan Kokeshi Crafts Association Award
• 2015 — Annual Grand Prize
• 2018 — Japan Kokeshi Crafts Association Award
• 2023 — Governor of Miyagi Prefecture Award

She is also a member of the Japan Kokeshi Crafts Association and continues to inspire collectors and fellow artists with her unique artistic vision and dedication to the craft.