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Kyoto Carved Bear - Large

$120
or 4 interest-free payments of $30 with Afterpay

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We found a selection of weird and wonderful animals at the antique markets in Kyoto. If there is one thing we love it's finding these small (and big) animals on our travels and adding them to unexpected places in the home. They will make you smile each time you see them.

Details:

Size: approx. L28cm x H16cm x W13.2cm 

*This item was found at an antique market and may show signs of age and character, if you would like more information or photos please reach out to us at hello@providerstore.com.au.

**As much as we try colour may vary slightly from what is pictured, please contact us if you have any questions.

Story

Tokugawa Yoshichika, the 19th leader of the Owari branch, purchased a wooden carving of a bear while he was in, Switzerland; Tokugawa was traveling through Europe between 1921 and 1922.

After returning to Japan, Tokugawa traveled to the “Tokugawa Farm,” a farm in the town of Yakumo that was then part of the Owari Domain. Tokugawa presented the carving to the farmers, suggesting that they manufacture copies of it during the winter as a source of income. The farmers agreed, and the first sculptures they made were displayed at a 1924 exhibition of rural arts and crafts that was held in the town.

During a 1927 exhibition, a kibori kuma was awarded a prize and offered to Prince Chichibu. The following year, an exhibition of bear sculptures was held to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Yakumo. Through these exhibitions, the popularity of kibori kuma spread throughout the country; as many as 5,000 carvings were produced during the early Shōwa period. The production of these bears still happens to this day and can be found at craft fairs around Japan.

Origin

Japan
Kyoto, Japan
35.0116° N, 135.7680° E

Kyoto, once the capital of Japan, is a city on the island of Honshu. It's famous for its numerous classical Buddhist temples, as well as gardens, imperial palaces, Shinto shrines and traditional wooden houses. 

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