Ainu Totem Sculpture, Hokkaido, Japan, 1960s-1970s

Details

Description

An exceptionally large and rare wooden totem sculpture from Hokkaido, Japan, hand-carved in the tradition of Ainu folk art and … Read more An exceptionally large and rare wooden totem sculpture from Hokkaido, Japan, hand-carved in the tradition of Ainu folk art and made from one solid tree trunk.

Dimensions: height 200 cm, width 32 cm, depth 28 cm. The totem weighs almost 50 kg.

This impressive sculpture brings together several recognisable elements of Ainu culture in one monumental vertical composition. At the top stands a powerfully carved brown bear, an important spiritual symbol within the Ainu world and connected to the kamuy, the divine or spiritual forces found in nature. Below is the iconic Ainu couple: a male tribal elder with a full, flowing beard and a traditional female figure. The woman is recognisably depicted with a detailed headband, matanpush, and geometric patterns on her traditional garment.

The composition recalls the visual language of traditional Ainu wood carvings and lucky figures, but the monumental scale makes this example especially rare. The piece is entirely hand-carved, with deep gouge marks, expressive faces, and original colour accents. The warm wood tones, raw carving traces, and powerful symbolism give the object a striking sculptural presence.

The sculpture is in good authentic condition, with normal signs of age and light wear consistent with solid wood of this size and period. These traces enhance the character and handmade quality of the piece.

A unique collector’s object for lovers of ethnographic art, Japanese folk art, Ainu wood carving, and Hokkaido culture. Through its scale and visual strength, it is also an exceptional interior accent: warm, symbolic, and architecturally present in a contemporary home, gallery, shop display, or space where one remarkable object may take centre stage. See less