Kenji Sato "Crawling Bear Sophora (Ryukyu Indigo Dye)"

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Kenji Sato "Crawling Bear Sophora (Ryukyu Indigo Dye)"

Name: Kenji Sato "Crawling Bear Sophora (Ryukyu Indigo Dye)"
Brand: SOUTH STORE
Price: 2220.0 JPY
Availability: InStock

$2,220

"Crawling bear, Enju" by Kenji Sato

Artist: Kenji Sato
Place of Origin:Asahikawa, Hokkaido
Size:W26.5cm H19cm D26cm
Material: Japanese pagoda tree
Dyeing: Ryukyu indigo dyeing

-Maker-
Kenji Sato is a master sculptor from Asahikawa, Hokkaido, who is currently celebrating his 50th anniversary as a woodcarver.
He is a sculptor who has been working with wood since he was 22 years old and has created numerous works, and will turn 73 in 2023.
The focus of his work is on cute, abstract wooden carvings of bears with beveled edges, affectionately known as "Ken-chan Bear."
The wooden carvings of bears are created by calculating annual rings (patterns on the cross-section of wood), and each one has a different expression, making them works that allow you to feel the warmth and dynamism of wood.

Born in 1950 in Furano, the home of lavender
1973: Studied under Noriaki, the brother of the founder of "Sato Kuma"
In 1985, he established his own creative wood carving studio, Sato, in Asahikawa.
1996: Started carving owls using his own unique technique.
In 2002, he started focusing on fish, and responded to the various requests of his fans, including salmon, flounder, sculpin, and deep-sea fish.
2018 He released the roughly cut carved bears he had been working on before as "Ken-chan Bear."

RYUKYU INDIGO

Ryukyu indigo, which has been cultivated in Okinawa since ancient times and used as a dye for indigo dyeing, is an essential dye for Okinawan dyeing and weaving. The cultivation method is harsh, and in order to grow high-quality indigo leaves, thorough cultivation management and techniques are required, as well as strong physical and mental strength to withstand the hard work in the indigo manufacturing process. In addition, many years of experience and hard work are required to determine the fermentation state and the amount of lime water to use in the manufacturing stage.

Each piece is dyed by hand using indigo dye created using traditional methods and washed carefully over and over again to create a unique texture and a different depth of expression for each piece that cannot be expressed with chemical dyes. Ryukyu indigo can be said to be a cultural color with a depth like the beautiful ocean of Okinawa. However, as time passed and cheap synthetic indigo became widespread, fewer people are engaged in the time-consuming work of dyeing indigo.

For more information about RYUKYU INDIGO, please see below.
About RYUKYU INDIGO

<Please be aware that the following are product characteristics before purchasing>
・Since natural wood is hand-dyed, there are individual differences. Please enjoy the uneven color transitions that are the texture of natural dyeing. The unique unevenness is the greatest feature that cannot be expressed with chemical dyes.
- Please note that indigo-dyed products may transfer color if exposed to water or rubbed.
-Since it is easily sunburned, please store it in a place away from direct sunlight.

*This product is also sold in stores, so it may already be sold out by the time you place your order.
Please note.

Kenji Sato "Crawling Bear Sophora (Ryukyu Indigo Dye)"

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