Wooden Carved Bear
木彫りの熊
£190.00 per item
A hand-carved wooden bear from Yakumo in Hokkaido.
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This hand carved wooden bear originates from Yakumo in Hokkaido, Japan’s northernmost prefecture, renowned for its rich wildlife. The image of a bear is a well-known symbol of Hokkaido, representing the natural landscape and the wildlife that can be found there. Ussuri brown bears, the largest land mammals in Japan, are native to the region.
The craft of carved wooden bears originated in two areas of Hokkaido; Yakumo and Asahikawa. In Yakumo, off-season farmers who migrated from Honshu began the tradition of carving bears, whilst in Asahikawa, the Ainu community developed their style of carving. Starting with a tourism boom in Hokkaido during the 1960s, the carved bear figures are an established popular souvenir from the region.
The wooden bears carved in Yakumo referenced carvings of bears from Switzerland which were brought back by Tokugawa Yoshichika, the 19th head of the Owari Tokugawa family in 1922.
The process of cutting the wood vertically creates pieces that are easier to carve with minimal distortion.
Individual items will differ from one another slightly, due to their handmade nature and natural materials.
Size: W19xD12xH15cm
Hokkaidō
Hokkaidō is the northernmost of Japan's main islands, largely unspoiled, and the least densely populated. It is known for its national parks, numerous world-class ski resorts, delicious seafood and the distinct culture of the indigenous Ainu population. While the summers are comfortably mild, winters are cold. Sapporo, the largest city, is home to the annual Snow Festival.
