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Kenji Sato "Handstand Bear (Ryukyu Indigo)"

$13,398
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"Handstand Bear Sokai (Ryukyu Aizome)"

Author: Kenji Sato (Kenji Sato)
Origin: Asahikawa, Hokkaido Size: W10cm H22.5cm D11.5cm
Material: Sophora
Dyeing: Ryukyu indigo dyeing

-Creator-
Kenji Sato is an active master sculptor from Asahikawa, Hokkaido, who has celebrated his 50th anniversary as a wood carver.
He is a sculptor who has been working with wood and creating numerous works since he was 22 years old, and will turn 73 in 2023.
The products are mainly made of cute, abstract wooden carved bears with beveled edges, affectionately known as "Ken-chan bears."
The carved wooden bears are created by calculating the annual rings (patterns on the cross section of the tree), and each piece has a different expression, allowing you to feel the warmth and dynamism of the wood.

1950 Born in Furano City, the village of lavender
1973 Studied under his brother Noriaki, founder of “Satokuma”
1985 Independent creative wood carving company Sato established in Asahikawa City
1996 Started carving owls using a unique method.
2002 Focusing on fish, he responds to a variety of orders from his fans, including salmon, flounder, swordfish, and deep-sea fish.
2018 Announced the roughly cut carved bear that he had been working on for some time as “Ken-chan Bear”

RYUKYU INDIGO (Ryukyu indigo dyeing)
Ryukyu indigo, which has been cultivated in Okinawa since ancient times and was used as a dye for indigo dyeing, is an indispensable 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 labor involved in the indigo production process. In addition, many years of experience and hard work are required to determine the fermentation conditions and the amount of lime water used during the manufacturing stage.
By hand-dying each piece using indigo produced using a method that has been passed down from ancient times and carefully repeating the washing process, each piece has a unique texture and expression that cannot be achieved with chemical dyes. It has a different depth. Ryukyu indigo can be said to be the color of a deep culture similar to the beautiful ocean of Okinawa. However, as time passed and cheaply available chemically synthesized indigo became popular, fewer people were engaged in the labor-intensive work of indigo.

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

<Please be aware of the following as it is a characteristic of the product before purchasing>
・As the natural wood is hand-dyed, there may be individual differences. Please enjoy the uneven color transitions as a result of natural dyeing. The unique unevenness is the biggest feature that cannot be expressed with chemical dyes.
・Please note that indigo-dyed products may transfer color due to water or friction.
・Please store in a place that is not exposed to sunlight as it can easily get sunburned.

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

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