The world of Takeki Fujito, the poster child of wood-carving bears. The World of Chikki Fujito: An Exhibition Commemorating the 90th Anniversary of His Birth] National Museum of Ainu Folklore, Shiraoi-cho, Hokkaido, Japan.

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≪(part of "White Bear and Child"), 1999, Kusu, Private Collection, Photo: ROGUCHI Keiji

The 8th special exhibition, "The World of Takeki Fujito, Commemorating the 90th Anniversary of His Birth," will open on June 29 (Sat).

Hello everyone. This is the Hokkaido News Department. Today I would like to introduce the 8th special exhibition, "The World of Takeki Fujito, Commemorating the 90th Anniversary of His Birth," which is being held from June 29 (Sat) at the Special Exhibition Room on the 2nd floor of the National Museum of the Ainu People (in Upopoi).
Takeki Fujito (1934-2018), one of Hokkaido's representative woodcarvers, was born in Bihoro Town, Hokkaido, and began carving bears at the age of 12 under his father Takeo, who was known as a master bear carver in Chikabumi, Asahikawa City, In 1964, at the age of 30, he set up his own studio on the shore of Lake Akan in Kushiro, Hokkaido.
≪To "Bear Hunting, Kotan" (part) 1980, Kusu, Private Collection, Photo : ROGUCHI Keiji

First time to create a statue of the Kannon (Goddess of Mercy).

≪Kannon (Kannon of the Tree Spirit) (partial), 1969, ICHII, Collection of Shoutokuji Temple, Photo by Keiji Rokuchi

After becoming independent, Takeki Fujito received a commission to create a statue of the Kannon. The order came from Mitsuko Maeda, the third-generation owner of the Maeda Ippoen Garden, which was responsible for revitalizing the forests around Lake Akan and promoting tourism, on the 13th anniversary of the death of her husband, Masatsugu Maeda.
Until then, Takeki Fujito had rarely worked on works other than bears. First, he spent a week in Tokyo and Nara, looking at Buddhist statues, and then spent six months completing the statue. This work gave him more confidence and expanded the scope of his work.

Inheriting the traditional carving techniques of the Ainu people, he created his own unique artistic world.

Takeki Fujito has consistently worked in wood carving, and while inheriting the traditional carving techniques of the Ainu people, he has created his own unique artistic world using life-size standing statues that bear the spirit of his Ainu ancestors, his roots, and animals that inhabit Hokkaido.
In 2015, he received the Hokkaido Culture Award, and in 2016, the Regional Culture In 2016, he received an award from the Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology for his contribution to regional culture.
His outstanding imagery, conceptual ability, and realistic expression filled with deep affection for living creatures are outstanding, and he is now highly regarded as one of Hokkaido's leading woodcarvers.

≪White Bear" (detail) 1999, Kusu Private Collection, Photo : ROGUCHI Keiji

What is Takeki Fujito's production style?

Takeki Fujito's style is to draw lines on a block of wood as a marker, and then to start digging out a rough shape with a broadaxe or chainsaw. After that, the entire surface is prepared with a chisel, and the surface is finished with an engraving knife.
The "90th Birth Anniversary: The World of Takeki Fujito" exhibition introduces 91 representative works from his early to late years, as well as the Ainu collection that he inherited and collected.
The exhibition will be held from Saturday, June 29 to Sunday, August 25.
≪Father and Child Bear" (2004), Kusu's private collection, Photo : ROGUCHI Keiji

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