This is a wooden bear carving that was at my grandfather's house. It's quite impressive. On the back, there's a carving that says "Sadamine Saku" (made by Sadamine) and "Hokkaido Shirao '1979.911'". There might be an error in the recognition of the numbers, so please check images 11 and 12 and make your own judgment. Please note that this is a used item, so please only purchase if you understand that. Wooden bear carvings from Hokkaido, once a standard souvenir, are now experiencing a "third boom" of popularity, being re-evaluated as art and interior decor. Their history is said to span over 100 years. ◇ AI (Google Gemini) Research Report ① History and Boom Transitions Origin (1920s): In 1924 (Taisho 13), Yoshichika Tokugawa brought back a wooden bear carving from a trip to Switzerland, which led to the start of production in Yakumo Town as a rural art (side business). 1st and 2nd Booms (Mid-Showa Period): Along with the Hokkaido tourism boom during the period of rapid economic growth, it became a standard souvenir nationwide. From this time, "bears holding salmon" were mass-produced. 3rd Boom (Modern, 2020s-): Old wooden bear carvings from the Showa era are being re-evaluated as "retro" and "cute" by young people and collectors. In 2024, it celebrates its 100th anniversary, attracting renewed attention. ② Why is its popularity resurging now? Re-evaluation as art: Early works by artisans and artists (such as Shigeyuki Shibazaki) are traded at very high prices (tens of thousands to hundreds of thousands of yen) as folk crafts and art pieces. Interior design and diversity: Designs different from the traditional ones, such as bears "not holding salmon," sleeping bears, roaring bears, and abstract designs, are popular as interior decor. ③ Trivia about wooden bear carvings Good luck charms: They are given with wishes for growth, such as "become as strong as a bear," as "amulets against evil" and "protection from misfortune," and also given to students preparing for exams as "win in the exam (bear)."