Vintage Japanese Hokkaido Kuma Ainu Bear with Salmon Wood Carving, Late Showa 1966-1989 | SKU: 26M-751-6

Vintage Japanese Hokkaido Kuma Bear with Salmon Wood Carving, Late Showa 1966-1989 | SKU: 26M-751-6

A masterfully hand-carved Hokkaido bear figurine -- the iconic kuma woodcraft of northern Japan.

A kuma (bear) wood carving is a traditional Japanese folk craft most closely associated with Hokkaido, the northernmost island of Japan, where Ainu and local artisans began carving bear figurines in the early 20th century. By the Late Showa era, these handcrafted Japanese bear sculptures had become one of the most recognized forms of vintage Japanese folk art, cherished both as souvenir pieces and as serious collector's items. This example depicts a striding bear with a salmon firmly gripped in its jaws -- the quintessential composition of the genre, symbolizing abundance and the raw power of nature. The carving is executed with exceptional attention to texture: thousands of individual chisel strokes radiate across the body to simulate thick, layered fur, while the salmon's scales are rendered in contrasting lighter-toned wood, creating a striking two-tone effect. The dark, richly finished hardwood gives the piece a bold, sculptural presence that rewards close inspection from every angle.

In a modern home, this vintage Japanese bear carving makes an immediate statement as a living room accent or a bookshelf centerpiece, perfectly suited to wabi-sabi, Japandi style, or rustic naturalist interiors. Its compact, solid form works equally well on a home office desk as a conversation-starting decorative accent, or grouped with other folk art pieces on an entryway console. It also makes a unique housewarming gift or a meaningful gift for collectors of Japanese vintage folk craft -- a piece with genuine character, age, and a story rooted in the forests and rivers of Hokkaido.

• Origin: Japan, Hokkaido region
• Era: 1966-1989 (Late Showa)
• Material: Dark-finished hardwood, hand-carved; lighter natural wood inset for the salmon
• Use: Decorative folk art figurine; traditional Hokkaido kuma woodcraft souvenir and collector's piece
• Modern Use: Living room or bookshelf accent sculpture; home office desk decor; unique gift for collectors of Japanese folk art
• Features: Full-body bear pose with salmon in mouth; dense all-over fur texture rendered by hand-chisel strokes; contrasting two-tone wood finish on salmon detail; solid, stable four-paw stance; detailed paw and ear carving visible from all angles
• Dimensions: 8 1/4"W x 4 1/2"D x 5 1/2"H
• Condition: Excellent

A bold and tactile piece of vintage Japanese folk craft -- this Hokkaido kuma carving brings the spirit of the northern wilderness into any modern interior.

We use professional studio lighting to highlight the natural character of the wood. As a result, the tone may appear slightly warmer than under natural daylight.

All vintage items are sold as-is. Each piece may exhibit signs of age, including scratches, wear, or minor imperfections. These are not considered defects but natural evidence of the item’s authenticity and age.