Japanese Wooden Turtle Minogame, 1960s

Details

Description

Finely carved wooden turtle with a long “seaweed tail”: the minogame (蓑亀), a mythical Japanese turtle whose shell becomes draped … Read more Finely carved wooden turtle with a long “seaweed tail”: the minogame (蓑亀), a mythical Japanese turtle whose shell becomes draped with seaweed over centuries of life.

Dimensions: height 8 cm, width 32 cm, depth 16 cm.

Hand-carved from sugi (Japanese cedar) and richly detailed with rhythmic grain and relief; the natural mokume-like pattern flows across the shell and tail like waves, giving the piece a sense of movement from every angle.

In Japan, the minogame symbolizes longevity, prosperity, endurance, and protection—a cherished auspicious motif for homes and gifts.

A distinctive, serene statement piece that brings a refined Japanese accent to any stylish interior—on a sideboard, bookshelf, or console. See less