The half-dark head is what stops you. One side deep black, the other the warm reddish glow of the wood grain itself, and between them a face with heavy-lidded almond eyes that looks both ancient and entirely contemporary. Below it, two large camellia flowers in deep red fill almost the entire body.

Tsubaki Musume, Camellia Girl, is one of the most recognized designs in the sōsaku kokeshi tradition, and Tamura Noboru one of its most celebrated makers. He won the Prime Minister Award during his career and his work is collected internationally. This piece is signed on the base in his characteristic brushwork.

Tamura Noboru works from Studio Tamura Kogei, a creative kokeshi studio in Shibukawa, Gunma Prefecture. The same studio is also home to female kokeshi maker Tamura Chie, whose work under the name Chiei Saku has its own devoted following among collectors. I have a kokeshi from her as well, you’ll find it under this page among the related items.