Matsu-no-yu (favourite things #138)

Artist's notes on style, materials and inspiration:

This wood girl is dressed up as a local neighbourhood style sento (bathhouse).

There was a time in the not too distant past that Japanese homes, particularly in cities, did not have their own bathroom, and it would be custom to go to the local bathhouse to wash, unwind and catch up with other locals. Fortunately, although many have now gone, there are still quite a few of these facilities left in Tokyo, some still with their faded beauty and some now being revitalised by a new generation, with the addition of saunas, wellbeing activities and social events.

Under a pretty blue tiled and rustic wooden roof you can enter the store by passing under the bathhouse style noren with the 'yu' character for hot water. Stroll around the back of the sento for more signage, a vending machine selling strawberry milk and milk coffee and a wooden storage unit housing ladles and buckets, towels and shampoo. Before entering the sento, patrons can marvel at the traditional sento chimney coming out of the wood girls head (blue tiled again) - complete with a blue bird perched on the top. The store part is made from offcuts of timber and so will have a slightly rough texture - all adding to the feel of an old building.

My 'favourite things' wood girl series share the places and things I love, a favourite motif, object or theme, or are inspired by a microseason. Turned from American Tulipwood, a sustainable and interestingly grained timber, the pieces are turned by a production wood turner in the UK to my designs, then added to and painted by me, a British artist. They are finished in a clear matt acrylic protective top coat.

Favourite Things girls are numbered on the base, this one is #138.

This girl is approximately 38cm in height.

My pieces are painted in a naïve and simple style, with visible brush strokes and differing paint consistencies. It is important to note that these dolls are made from real wood which will have naturally occurring markings and grain, and sometimes there will be small amount of bleeding along the grain, or knots, which is to be expected when using untreated wood - please make sure you consult the pictures carefully before purchasing.

PLEASE NOTE: Wood girls should be kept away from water which can damage the wood and painted surface, and also away from direct heat/ sunlight which also can affect the surface colour and the timber itself.

US CUSTOMERS: Please be aware that new import fees (tariffs) will apply to all imported goods from 28th August 2025 - these fees are 10% of the declared value when manufactured in the UK (as for wood girls) but there are two different systems in place until February 2026, so please get in touch with me via the store contact form if you would like to know more.