Japanese Ainu Large Hand Carved Bear Signed w/ Salmon Cedar Kuma 19" 森 Statue It has the signature stamp

It has the signature stamp of the Oribe artist on the bottom

striker and stand

5 x 48 cm)

This is an antique early Taisho Era (c

Housed in a meticulously crafted Kiri wood box

Japanese Ainu Large Hand Carved Bear Signed w/ Salmon Cedar Kuma 19" 森 Statue It has the signature stampThis unusually large vintage Japanese carving (mid late 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 deity. Tinted red on the head and neck. Salmon in mouth. Marking = (Mori, artist surname) This statue measures about 11" tall by 19" long by 12" wide (28 x 48 x 30. 5 cm). The carving