Up for sale this striking, large-scale Japanese folk art wood sculpture.
Meaning & Symbolism
It depicts the mythical Minogame—a legendary turtle that lives for 1,000 years and grows a long tail of seaweed. Carved in the rare "Konori" (Child-Riding) style, it features two smaller baby turtles riding on the back of the mother's tail. In Japanese tradition, this brings good fortune, extreme longevity, and family prosperity.
Craftsmanship Highlights
Dramatic 3D Grain Texture: The sculpture features a deeply carved, wavy texture across the body. The soft wood layers were carefully brushed away (the Uzukuri method) to leave the natural growth rings standing out in beautiful, tactile ridges.
Rich Contrast Finish: The piece uses a scorched finish similar to Yakisugi, giving the deep grooves a dark charcoal contrast that makes the warm amber tones of the wood pop.
Impressive Scale: At 45cm long, this is a heavy, substantial statement piece meant for a prominent entryway or a main display shelf.
Premium Japanese Timber: Carved from a solid block of traditional Japanese softwood (Nezuko / Sugi), chosen specifically because its prominent growth rings react beautifully to the grain-brushing process.
Dimensions
Total Length: 45 cm (17.7")
Base Size: 42 cm x 24.5 cm (16.5" x 9.6")
Height with Base: 18 cm (7.1")
Height Turtle Only: 12 cm (4.7")
Condition Notes (Honest Disclosure)
Conditioned with Camellia Oil: The wood has recently been conditioned with traditional Japanese Camellia Oil (Tsubaki-abura). This has beautifully hydrated the timber, enhancing the deep grain patterns and giving it a soft, natural satin shine.
Structural Stability: The main solid-block carving is incredibly sturdy with no major wood-drying splits or cracks, which is highly unusual for a piece of this size and age.
Minor Flaw: As a genuine vintage item, it shows light signs of history. There is a small, superficial horizontal mark showing exposed raw wood on the front right foot (clearly visible in close-up photos). It is purely cosmetic and does not affect the display quality.
Return & Tax Policy:
• Returns: This item is sold "As-Is" with a strict no-returns policy. Please review all photos and descriptions carefully before purchasing.
International Buyers - Customs, Duties, and Taxes:
• Charges: Import duties, customs taxes, and VAT/GST fees are not included in the item price or shipping cost.
• Buyer Responsibility: These regulatory charges are the sole responsibility of the buyer and must be paid upon delivery.
• Policy Compliance: Please check with your country's customs office to determine what these additional costs will be prior to offerding or buying. We cannot undervalue items or mark packages as "gifts" to bypass customs laws.
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