Old Japan, Mint and Signed

Japanese fine old handmade and hand-carved large-scale wooden carving of a bear family Higuma climbing a tree, cryptomeria (cedar) wood and in large-scale, a large one 19 inches in height.

Quality: Hand-carved with rich and deep realistic hair lines (photo). Fine and original patina from good age

Signed by the native Japanese Ainu Carver.

It has been crafted in the Japanese old school craftsmen style- the Ittobori style (carved from one wooden piece) by the Ainu Peoples, Hokkaido region in northern Japan.

Fine original quality.

Dimensions: 19 inches tall and 17 inches width

Handmade and hand-carved, one of a kind.

History of the wood carvings of Ainu peoples:
The Ainu minority people located in Hokkaido created a wood carving culture and export business going back to the early 20th century. Many Ainu carved wooden statues in particular bears known as Higuma to sell as souvenirs. Until then, these bear carvings had only existed as religious objects, usually as headdresses and prayer sticks. History tells us that during the early 20th century, a former bear hunter by the name of Umetaro Matsui (E¨E´¾®A~·I`«A`E´. 1901-1949) started carving bears in the town of Asahikawa (Ðn~´¨E^Ð) after surviving an unfortunate run in with a bear.

Provenance: Old Northern Japan collection.