One off a kind Sosaku kokeshi by Megumi Nozawa

“Enjoy Summer” by Megumi Nozawa is a joyful and vibrant sosaku kokeshi that beautifully captures the playful spirit of the Japanese summer season. The doll is decorated with an elaborate kimono featuring colorful traditional fans and festive motifs in shades of deep blue, red, gold, cream, and pink. The richly detailed patterns evoke summer festivals, warm evening breezes, and the cheerful atmosphere of seasonal celebrations.

Nozawa’s distinctive artistic style shines through in the figure’s peaceful expression. With softly closed eyes, rosy cheeks, and a delicate smile, the kokeshi radiates calm happiness and quiet contentment. Her smooth black bob hairstyle provides a simple, elegant contrast to the lively complexity of the kimono design.

The title “Enjoy Summer” perfectly reflects the atmosphere of the piece. The decorative fans symbolize cooling comfort during hot summer days, while the bright colors and intricate ornamentation convey movement, warmth, and festivity. Through careful hand-painted craftsmanship and harmonious composition, Megumi Nozawa creates a work that feels both celebratory and serene.

As with many of Nozawa’s creations, this kokeshi combines traditional Japanese aesthetics with a contemporary artistic sensitivity, resulting in a collectible artwork that is refined, expressive, and full of seasonal charm.

Height: 12,5cm

Weight: 290g 

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.