Honda Nobuo – Master of Nakanosawa‑Tsuchiyu Daruma & Kokeshi

Honda Nobuo (本多信夫, 1918–1995) was a Japanese kokeshi‑shi from Nakanosawa, Inawashiro City, in Fukushima Prefecture.
He was part of the Tsuchiyu family of traditional kokeshi and is best known for his Nakanosawa‑style dolls and expressive wooden Daruma.

Key features of his work:

• Robust, hand‑turned forms

• Expressive faces, often with an intense gaze

• Traditional Tsuchiyu decoration, sometimes with simple floral accents

• Hand‑brushed signature on the base

Honda Nobuo's kokeshi and Daruma are appreciated by collectors
as authentic examples of the Tsuchiyu tradition.