90th Anniversary - The World of Fujito Takeki

National Ainu Museum

Finished

Artists

Takeki Fujito

Born in Bihoro Town, Hokkaido, Takehi Fujito (1934-2018) spent his youth in Asahikawa City, a bustling center for bear carving artisans. Under the guidance of his father, Takeo, a master bear carver, Fujito began carving bears at the age of 12. By 15, he was carving and selling bear sculptures independently. Throughout his career, he dedicated himself to woodcarving, establishing his own studio and folk craft shop called "Kuma-no-Ie" (House of Bears) on the shores of Lake Akan in Kushiro City, Hokkaido, in 1964, at the age of 30. Drawing from the traditional Ainu carving techniques, Fujito expanded his repertoire to include animals native to the north such as bears, wolves, foxes, orcas, sea otters, and crustaceans, as well as dignified portrait sculptures of ancestors, creating his unique artistic world.

His lively expressions rooted in a deep love for living beings garnered high praise domestically and internationally. Fujito received the Hokkaido Cultural Award in 2015 and was honored as a Regional Cultural Contributor by the Agency for Cultural Affairs in 2016.

This exhibition will introduce approximately 90 representative works spanning Fujito's career from his early years to his later works. It will also showcase the Ainu collection inherited and collected by Fujito.

Schedule

Jun 29 (Sat) 2024-Aug 25 (Sun) 2024

Opening Hours Information

Hours	9:00-18:00 Open 9:00-20:00 from July 20 to August 25.
Closed	Monday Open on a public holiday Monday but closed on the following day. Open on July 8, 9, 15, August 12 and 13.

Fee

Adults ¥1200; High School Students ¥600; Junior High School Students and Under, Persons with Disability Certificates + 1 Companion free.

Website

https://nam.go.jp/exhibition/floor2/special/fujito2024/