Japanese Ainu Large Hand Carved Bear Signed w/ Salmon Cedar Kuma 19" 森 Statue and is said to hold

and is said to hold the fortunes of those who believe in him

It weighs over half a pound

striker and stand

replacements or to give some true character to a new creation

It is made of kiri (paulownia) wood which shows off the beautiful grain with the trim done in persimmon wood

Japanese Ainu Large Hand Carved Bear Signed w/ Salmon Cedar Kuma 19" 森 Statue and is said to holdThis unusually large vintage Japanese carving (mid late 20th century) was created by the indigenous Ainu people now mainly on the northern Japanese island of Hokkaido. The Ainu people traditionally carved these Kubori Kuma for religious purposes revering the Bear as a deity. Tinted red on the head and neck. Salmon in mouth. Marking = (Mori, artist surname) This statue measures about 11" tall by 19" long by 12" wide (28 x 48 x 30. 5 cm). The carving