Showa era item. A wooden relief carving of the yokai Yamamba, hand-carved and hand-painted by an artist. Yamamba (Yamauba/Yamanba) is a yokai or mystical being in the form of an old woman with white hair who lives deep in the mountains of Japan. While depicted as a terrifying demoness who attacks and eats people, she also has aspects of kindness and motherhood, as in the legend of her raising Kintaro. She is passed down as a being with duality, symbolizing both the harshness and bounty of the mountains. There is a theory that she was originally a mountain deity. A deeply flavorful work, carefully carved. A one-of-a-kind piece by the artist. Recommended for yokai enthusiasts and collectors of Showa-era items. The back has the artist's name written on it, so it has been obscured in the photo. This is an old item, so please check for scratches, dirt, etc., before purchasing. Also, there may be scratches that are not fully captured in the photos. #AntiqueBrocanteArlequin #Kokeshi_ManekiNeko_Crafts_Arlequin Thank you for looking. Category: Interior Popular Keywords: Antique, Vintage, Showa Retro, Flea Market, Retro Pop Subject: Buddhist Statues/Deity Statues Material: Wood carving