{"product_id":"hand-carved-hokkaido-brown-bear-small-コピー","title":"Hand-Carved Hokkaido Bear - Natural Wood - Medium","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"qMYqUG_convSearchResultHighlightRoot\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"\"\u003e\n\u003csection class=\"text-token-text-primary w-full focus:outline-none has-data-writing-block:pointer-events-none [\u0026amp;:has([data-writing-block])\u0026gt;*]:pointer-events-auto R6Vx5W_threadScrollVars scroll-mb-[calc(var(--scroll-root-safe-area-inset-bottom,0px)+var(--thread-response-height))] scroll-mt-[calc(var(--header-height)+min(200px,max(70px,20svh)))]\" dir=\"auto\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"text-base my-auto mx-auto pb-8 [--thread-content-margin:var(--thread-content-margin-xs,calc(var(--spacing)*4))] @w-sm\/main:[--thread-content-margin:var(--thread-content-margin-sm,calc(var(--spacing)*6))] @w-lg\/main:[--thread-content-margin:var(--thread-content-margin-lg,calc(var(--spacing)*16))] px-(--thread-content-margin)\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"[--thread-content-max-width:40rem] @w-lg\/main:[--thread-content-max-width:48rem] mx-auto max-w-(--thread-content-max-width) flex-1 group\/turn-messages focus-visible:outline-hidden relative flex w-full min-w-0 flex-col agent-turn\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"flex max-w-full flex-col gap-4 grow\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv dir=\"auto\" class=\"min-h-8 text-message relative flex w-full flex-col items-end gap-2 text-start break-words whitespace-normal outline-none keyboard-focused:focus-ring [.text-message+\u0026amp;]:mt-1\" tabindex=\"0\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"flex w-full flex-col gap-1 empty:hidden\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"markdown prose dark:prose-invert wrap-break-word w-full light markdown-new-styling\"\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"PDq2pG_selectionAnchorContainer\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eA small piece of Hokkaido, shaped by hand.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan class=\"PDq2pG_selectionAnchor\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe carved wooden bear is one of the most recognizable folk objects associated with Hokkaido. Behind its familiar form, however, lies a story of landscape, craftsmanship, and a carving tradition that has continued to evolve for more than a century.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe history of Hokkaido’s modern wooden bear carvings can be traced to Yakumo in southern Hokkaido. In the early 1920s, Yoshichika Tokugawa encountered European peasant woodcraft during a journey through Switzerland and brought examples back to Yakumo. He encouraged local farming families to explore woodcarving as a craft during Hokkaido’s long agricultural off-season. In 1924, what is recognized as Hokkaido’s first carved wooden bear was exhibited there.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFrom those beginnings, the bear gradually developed into something distinctly Hokkaido.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDifferent regions and individual carvers created their own interpretations — from softly rounded bears to bold, strongly faceted forms that deliberately preserve the marks of the carving knife.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn and around Asahikawa, Ainu woodcarving traditions also became part of the development of Hokkaido bear carving. Over time, the craft came to be shaped by both Ainu and non-Ainu makers, contributing to the remarkable variety of wooden bears found throughout Hokkaido today.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eThe Bear and Hokkaido\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe choice of the bear carries particular meaning in Hokkaido.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLong before the modern wooden bear became a familiar folk craft and souvenir, bears held profound significance within Ainu culture and the northern landscape. The brown bear was regarded as a powerful spiritual presence, closely connected with the mountains, forests, food, and the relationship between people and the natural world.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis deeper relationship between Hokkaido, its people, its forests, and the bear gives the carved figure a presence beyond that of an ordinary decorative object.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePerhaps this is also part of the reason these small bears continue to be loved today.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSome appear strong and watchful. Others look peaceful, curious, or almost humorous. One may sit quietly while another stands firmly on four legs. Some look upward with an open mouth, while others carry the salmon that later became one of the most familiar images associated with Hokkaido’s wooden bears.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEach has its own character.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eNo Two Bears Are Exactly Alike\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEvery bear is individually carved by hand.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe angle of the head, the shape of the body, the expression around the eyes and mouth, the position of the legs, the grain of the wood, and even the marks left by the carving knife will naturally differ from piece to piece.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRather than hiding these differences, \u003cstrong\u003ewe consider them an essential part of the beauty of the work.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSmall variations in proportion, wood grain, carving marks, posture, and expression are natural characteristics of a handmade object.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe bear shown in the photographs is an example. The piece you receive will not be identical to the one pictured.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis individuality is precisely the point.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYour bear is not intended to be an exact reproduction of a sample photograph. It is an individual carving, shaped by the hands of its maker, with a character of its own.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eA quiet object shaped by wood, hand, and Hokkaido.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eSize Guide\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eChoose the general size of your bear when ordering:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eS — within approximately 4 cm\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eA small, subtle piece that works beautifully on a desk, shelf, or among other collected objects.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eM — within approximately 7 cm\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eA balanced size with a little more presence while remaining easy to display.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eL — within approximately 10 cm\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eA larger piece with greater presence, allowing the individual carving and character of the bear to stand out more clearly.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eAll dimensions are approximate. Because each bear is individually carved, its exact height, width, length, and proportions will vary. The stated measurements should be understood as a general size guide rather than exact dimensions.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eChoose Your Preferred Wood Tone\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePlease select your preferred color option on the product page.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAs wood is a natural material and each piece is individually finished, grain, tone, shading, and surface appearance will vary from bear to bear.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThese variations are part of the character of each piece.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eRequests for Posture \u0026amp; Expression\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBecause every bear is different, you may also tell us what kind of character you would prefer.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIf you have a preference, please leave us a message in the \u003cstrong\u003ecart comment box before placing your order.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor example:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMouth open \/ mouth closed\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWith salmon \/ without salmon\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSitting \/ standing\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLooking upward \/ looking forward\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eA stronger or softer expression\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eA particular overall posture or character\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe will do our best to select a handmade bear that is as close as possible to your request.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHowever, we cannot guarantee a specific posture, facial expression, body shape, wood grain, or combination of features.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAvailability depends entirely on the individually handmade pieces available at the time of your order. In some cases, we may not be able to accommodate your requested characteristics.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBy ordering this item, you acknowledge and accept these natural differences.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe hope you will enjoy the small variations — and the unexpected character of the bear that finds its way to you — as part of the experience of owning a genuinely hand-carved object from Hokkaido.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNo two are exactly alike.\u003cbr\u003eThat is what makes each one worth keeping.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"mt-3 w-full empty:hidden has-[\u0026gt;_:empty]:hidden\"\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"[--thread-content-max-width:40rem] @w-lg\/main:[--thread-content-max-width:48rem] mx-auto max-w-(--thread-content-max-width) flex-1\"\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/section\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"ZEN Home Finds","offers":[{"title":"Natural wood color","offer_id":48089230999717,"sku":null,"price":84.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Blackened Finish","offer_id":48089231032485,"sku":null,"price":84.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"url":"https:\/\/zen-homefinds.com\/products\/hand-carved-hokkaido-brown-bear-small-%e3%82%b3%e3%83%94%e3%83%bc","provider":"ZEN Home Finds","version":"1.0","type":"link"}