Wooden Carved Pen Holder Bear

A small wooden pen holder from Hokkaido, hand carved to depict a bear holding a salmon in its mouth.

£72 per item

This small wooden pen holder, hand carved to depict a bear holding a salmon in its mouth, originates from Hokkaido, Japan’s northernmost prefecture, renowned for its rich wildlife. The image of a bear with salmon 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, while salmon have long played a predominant role as a crucial trade commodity and hold sacred significance for the Ainu, an indigenous people of northern Japan.
The craft of carved wooden bears and salmon 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 tourism boom in Hokkaido during the 1960s, the carved bear-and-salmon figures have become a popular souveniers from the region.

Individual items will differ from one another slightly, due to their handmade nature.

Size: L13 x W6.5 x H8cm
Material: Japanese linden

same-day-icon
Next-day dispatch on orders placed by 15:00 | Delivery available to the UK
pickup-icon
Collect your order free of charge from Japan House London in Kensington
return-icon
Straight-forward returns for peace of mind when ordering from our shop
secure-icon
Payments provided by Square are 100% secure and your details are kept safe
Hokkaidō
Region

Hokkaidō

北海道

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.

 More items
Home
Department

Home

インテリアと暮らし

Elevate your living space with eye-catching design from Japan in this collection of products for your home and garden, ranging from charming miniature DIY sculpture sets to award-winning vases.

 More items