Salmon may or may not be nipped , . Various carved wooden bears gather at Kraska.

©︎ Naohiro Tsukada

A long time ago, the most popular souvenir of Hokkaido was a carved wooden bear. Many people were not comfortable with them and treated them roughly when they received them. However, now that the value of the craft is being redefined, its popularity is on the rise.

What many people may have in mind now is only one aspect of the wooden carved bear. The variations are astonishingly numerous. In this issue of "CLASKAwill begin with an exhibit full of wood-carved bears, featuring the collection of Natsuki Ando, editor and representative of the Tokyo 903 Association (Kuma San Kai), who is an unrivaled lover of wood-carved bears.

This exhibition offers visitors the opportunity to enjoy the profound world of carved wooden bears, including those from the town of Yakumo in Hokkaido, which is said to be the birthplace of the bear, and works carved by the Ainu people. In addition, Hokkaido enthusiasts will gather for a roundtable discussion on the theme of bears.

Wooden carved bears, the more you know about them, the more fascinating they are. Be careful not to get hooked!