Satoru Kawakami, Ainu Koropokkuru Wood Carving Sculpture Born in Asahikawa in 1948. Of Ainu descent. Trained under Mr. Takeki Fujito of Lake Akan at the age of 26. This is a work by Satoru Kawakami (1948-2011), a deceased artist from Asahikawa. He made significant contributions as a transmitter of traditional Ainu wood carvings and folk crafts. The Koropokkuru is one of the many works the artist created. The inscription "Satoru Kawakami" is on the back. The work's style was influenced by Mr. Bikki Sunazawa, with whom he had interactions. 【Size】 W18 x H23 x D7cm Please allow for some margin of error. This work was acquired when I visited his home in Asahikawa. Mr. Kawakami was a very kind, knowledgeable, and wonderful person. This item has been stored privately. Please purchase only if you are satisfied with the images. Please refrain from purchasing if you are overly concerned about details. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact us. No returns, refunds, or exchanges (3N). Thank you. ^_^ Brief History 1975 (Showa 50) Learned wood carving from his father at the age of 25, residing in Asahikawa. 1976 (Showa 51) Moved to Lake Akan and trained under Mr. Takeki Fujito. 1979 (Showa 54) Awarded the Excellence Prize in the Relief category at the 18th Asahikawa Wood Carving Skills Competition. 1981 (Showa 56) Awarded the Grand Prize in the Figure category at the 20th Asahikawa Wood Carving Skills Competition. 1990 (Heisei 2) Awarded the Hokkaido Prefectural Assembly Chairman's Award at the 23rd Hokkaido Ainu Folk Craft Competition. 1993 (Heisei 5) Awarded the Special Prize in the General Folk Craft category at the 26th Hokkaido Ainu Folk Craft Competition. 1994 (Heisei 6) Awarded the Hokkaido Prefectural Assembly Chairman's Award at the 27th Hokkaido Ainu Folk Craft Competition. Awarded the Asahikawa City Mayor's Award in the Craft category at the 12th Ainu Culture Transmission and Craft Exhibition. 1995 (Heisei 7) Recognized as an outstanding mid-career skilled artisan by Asahikawa City. 1998 (Heisei 10) Awarded the Asahikawa City Mayor's Award in the Craft category at the 14th Ainu Culture Transmission and Craft Exhibition. 2000 (Heisei 12) Awarded the Excellence Prize at the 2000 Ainu Craft Works Contest. 2001 (Heisei 13) Selected at the 2001 Ainu Craft Works Contest. 2002 (Heisei 14) Awarded the Excellence Prize at the 2002 Ainu Craft Works Contest. 2003 (Heisei 15) Recognized as a traditional craftsman by the Ainu Culture Promotion and Research Promotion Organization. 2008 (Heisei 20) Awarded as a contributor to the traditional craft industry in the Asahikawa wood carving category by the Traditional Craft Industry Promotion Association. Numerous other awards. Passed away in 2011 (Heisei 23) at the age of 63.