Japanese Kibori Kuma Carved Wooden Bear – Hokkaido, 1950s

Japanese Kibori Kuma, hand-carved from wood and originating from Hokkaido, dating from the 1950s, Japan.

Dimensions: height 14 cm, width 23 cm, depth 16 cm.

The sculpture depicts a large bear holding a fish in its mouth, accompanied by a smaller bear at its side. The surface is richly carved with fine, angular cuts that emphasise the fur and forms of the animals. The darker wood tones contrast beautifully with the lighter-coloured fish.

Kibori Kuma – literally “carved wooden bear” – is a well-known form of folk art from Hokkaido and is strongly associated with Ainu culture and the region’s woodcarving tradition. This compact example has a particularly lively composition and a warm patina consistent with its age.