This sōsaku kokeshi by Noboru Tamura (田村昇) is a masterful fusion of woodcraft and natural material, distinguished by its use of polished mountain cherry bark (yamazakura, 山桜)—a material rarely incorporated into kokeshi making. The doll’s cylindrical body is wrapped in a deep, reddish-brown bark sheath whose organic patterns, knots, and subtle luster evoke the quiet strength and age of the cherry tree. Tamura enhances this natural beauty with minimal intervention, preserving the bark’s texture and character while binding it with a simple cord that recalls traditional Japanese craftwork.
The head and base are carved with the artist’s hallmark sensuji (fine-line) turning technique, producing delicate radial grooves that add rhythm and visual balance to the otherwise rustic bark. The doll’s face—soft, innocent, and lightly blushed—exemplifies Tamura’s refined approach to expression: simple, warm, and deeply human.
On the back of the bark surface appears the inscription 白浜 (Shirahama), indicating the origin of the material or the place connected to this work. Shirahama, known for its natural beauty and coastal landscapes, adds an additional layer of regional identity and poetic atmosphere to the piece.
