Tamura Chie | 千栄作 | ちえ (Hanko)

b.1952 Handa, Shibukawa Gunma, Japan

DBA: Tamura Kogei

About👤

Tamura Chie comes from a distinguished family of artisans. Her father, Watanabe Takashi-sensei, was a respected Kokeshi artist who deeply influenced her passion and technique. As a child, she assisted him in his workshop, absorbing the traditions and skills that would shape her own artistic journey. Tamura Chie’s work has received multiple awards and is celebrated both in Japan and internationally. Together with her husband, Tamura Noboru-sensei, they manage a Kokeshi business known as Tamura Kogei.

Tamura’s Kokeshi dolls are known for their expressive faces, especially the eyes, which she considers the soul of her creations. She often adds kawaii (cute) elements like hair bows, kanzashi (hair ornaments), and playful hairstyles such as pigtails, setting her work apart from other sōsaku works. She also creates male figures, such as samurai and ninja dolls, responding to customer interest and expanding the gender representation in Kokeshi art.

Tamura uses traditional woods like Mizuki (dogwood) and Zelkova, along with colored paints, Indian ink, and Gobukeshi (finishing lacquer). Her tools include specialized carving instruments, and her workshop, Tamura Kogei, employs a team of seven artisans, including her husband Noboru.

Awards🏅

1988, 2003, 2022 Minister for Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Prize
1990 Director General for Small and Medium Enterprise Agency Prize
1996 The Mayor of Shibukawa Prize
1997 Minister for International Trade and Industry Prize

Other📑

Sources

Iachetta, F. (2024, June 17). Artista Chie Tamura. Artigianato Giapponese. https://www.artigianatogiapponese.it/en/blogs/notizie/artista-chie-tamura Retrieved 8/3/2025.