Growing Bear Head - Ainu Work Circa 1960 -70 - Japan

Carved and stained wood. Direct size - small shocks - small wear. around 1950 - 60
--- The “human” Ainu constitute an aboriginal population living in northern Japan. Arrived around the 14th century BC, in the Kuril Islands and Sakhalin. During the Meiji era, forced assimilation prohibited their culture, dispossessed them of their land, until the complete annexation of Hokkaido.    For the Ainu, in nature there are divine spirits "kamuy", male or female, some good, others malevolent. When they come to Earth, they take on the appearance of natural entities: animals, plants, rivers and mountains.
  It is assumed that the origin of the statuettes is in the “inoka” stylized animist miniature bear figurines, showing the power of metamorphosis of the animal. Kimun kamuy, when he comes down from the mountains, puts on his bear costume. The bear thus becomes “a mountain man”. The statuette transcribes his power.
Just like the Eskimo populations of Canada, the Chukchi of Siberia, the Ainu, perceive the bear as the equal of humans.
- In 1933 Emperor Hirohito ordered bears, this event brought public attention, and led to the start of workshops.
A detailed notice on the Ainous bears and a certificate will be given to the buyer.