Vintage Japanese Ainu Carving Of An Ainu Maiden Hand Carved Elm
Vintage Japanese Ainu Carving Of An Ainu Maiden Hand Carved Elm
This is a vintage Japanese Showa Era (c. 1977) wooden carving of a Japanese indigenous native Ainu girl. She is all hand carved out of Japanese light elm wood. There is a signature on the back along with a date: 27 August 1977. At the top on the back is a crane in flight (see pictures 5 & 10) which must be this artists logo.
The Ainu were an indigenous native people of Japan that over a century ago were forced from the lower islands to the upper island of Hikone where most of them still live today. These native carvings are still sought after by Japanese who go on vacation to the large island of Hikone.
This vintage Ainu carving measures 8 " by 9" by 1" thick (20 x 23 x 2.5 cm) . Having been displayed lovingly for over 45 years it remains in fine condition.