Japan - Folk Art

This is tapa (bark cloth) made by the Mbuti people, also known as pygmies, an indigenous people who live in the Ituri Forest, which stretches from northeastern Democratic Republic of...

This oversized hand-carved wooden ladle features a long, elegant handle and a deep, rounded bowl. Likely used for rice or soup service in a traditional kitchen, it carries a serene w...

This is an antique piece of Japanese pottery. It is a valuable item that is thought to have been made before the Edo period (1600s to 1860s). Its beautiful color and unique texture...

This is a wooden figurine from the Taisho period. "Daikokuten" is a traditional Japanese guardian deity that symbolizes good fortune and prosperity. Daikokuten's distinctive appear...

A deeply textured, primitive hand-carved wooden trough. Shaped from a single piece of solid wood, this piece shows centuries-old artisanal methods and a timeless utilitarian aesthet...

This rustic hand-carved wooden spoon exudes character and history. Its simple, utilitarian form is enriched by decades of use, with a smooth handle and a deep bowl shaped by hand too...

This is a wooden figurine from the Taisho period. "Hotei-son" is a god who is widely worshiped in Japan as one of the Seven Lucky Gods. It is modeled after the Zen monk Hotei, who ...

This is an extremely valuable hand-carved wood sculpture of a Japanese serow. This is a piece that highlights the artisan's outstanding techniques, and while most are natural and unpainted, this one is painted black, giving it a chic and sophisticated look. Even the areas where the paint has peeled off over time add to its charm. The exquisite balance of the carving of the fur and the carving of the surface gives it a strong and adorable look while still giving the impression of the flow of the fur. While it has the traditional beauty of form that is unique to Old Japan, it also has a smartness that is reminiscent of European wood carvings...