Vintage Japanese Ainu Hand Carved Bear w/ Salmon Cedar Wood Kubori Kuma Red 16"L

This signed carving (mid 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 dirty. Signed by the artist.  

This statue measures about 10" tall by 16" long by 9" wide (41 x 25 x 23 cm). The carving shows some signs of wear but is overall in very good condition. Most likely carved from Japanese cedar.