This Sasano Ittōbori 笹野一刀彫 carving depicts a kachō – flower and bird motif 花鳥, a traditional theme in Japanese art symbolizing the harmony between nature, the seasons, and everyday life. Sasano Ittōbori originates from Yonezawa in Yamagata Prefecture and is a folk craft tradition said to date back more than a thousand years. The name ittōbori means “carved with a single blade,” referring to the distinctive technique in which craftsmen shape the wood using a single knife in bold, confident cuts.
In this piece, a small stylized bird with a bright red comb sits at the center of an energetic burst of thin, radiating wooden strips that resemble petals or blooming straw-like forms. The natural wood tones and expressive carving highlight the rustic beauty characteristic of Sasano carvings. The lively composition evokes a blossoming flower with the bird emerging from its center, creating a playful yet symbolic interpretation of the kachō theme.
Sasano Ittōbori works often feature animals, birds, and auspicious motifs connected to rural life and nature. They are appreciated for their simplicity, hand-carved texture, and the warmth of natural wood.
