One off a kind Sosaku kokeshi by Megumi Nozawa

This beautiful Sosaku (creative) Kokeshi doll is a masterfully crafted piece by the award-winning Japanese artisan Megumi Nozawa (能沢 めぐみ), an esteemed member of the Japan Kokeshi Crafts Association. Entitled "Spring Scenery" (or 落葉の音 / Ochiba no Oto on the official box text, poetically capturing the transition of nature), this doll perfectly highlights Nozawa’s signature blend of wood-carving, painting, and meticulous pyrography (wood-burning) techniques.

The doll features a gently rounded, stout body and a serene, upturned face detailed with a soft, content smile and rosy, blushed cheeks. Her sleek black hair is cleanly carved and framed to contrast beautifully against the intricate textures of her attire. The most striking element of this Kokeshi is her exquisite kimono; it is entirely adorned with an elaborate pattern of heavily detailed leaves. Using specialized burning and engraving methods, Nozawa has textured every individual leaf with fine veins and patterns, utilizing an organic palette of warm ochre yellow, deep russet red, and earthy brown tones. The doll comes complete with its original presentation box, bearing the official calligraphy and the red artist's seal (hanko), making it a remarkable and highly collectible example of modern Japanese woodwork artistry.

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.