{"product_id":"antique-japanese-bamboo-root-sumo-frogs-sculpture","title":"Antique Japanese Bamboo Root Sumo Frogs Sculpture – Carved Folk Art Object","description":"\u003cp class=\"PDq2pG_selectionAnchorContainer\" data-end=\"666\" data-start=\"285\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-end=\"296\" data-start=\"285\"\u003eArtist:\u003c\/strong\u003e Unknown Japanese carver\u003cbr data-end=\"323\" data-start=\"320\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-end=\"333\" data-start=\"323\"\u003eTitle:\u003c\/strong\u003e Sumo Frogs\u003cbr data-end=\"347\" data-start=\"344\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-end=\"358\" data-start=\"347\"\u003eMedium:\u003c\/strong\u003e Carved bamboo root\u003cbr data-end=\"380\" data-start=\"377\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-end=\"392\" data-start=\"380\"\u003eEdition:\u003c\/strong\u003e Unique original\u003cbr data-end=\"411\" data-start=\"408\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-end=\"420\" data-start=\"411\"\u003eYear:\u003c\/strong\u003e Late 19th century, attributed\u003cbr data-end=\"467\" data-start=\"464\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-end=\"478\" data-start=\"467\"\u003eHeight:\u003c\/strong\u003e Approximately 20 cm\u003cbr data-end=\"501\" data-start=\"498\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-end=\"515\" data-start=\"501\"\u003eCondition:\u003c\/strong\u003e Good antique condition with age-appropriate wear, surface patina, handling marks, and natural age cracks to the bamboo root. Stable and displays well.\u003cspan class=\"PDq2pG_selectionAnchor\" aria-hidden=\"true\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"1010\" data-start=\"668\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-end=\"678\" data-start=\"668\"\u003eNotes:\u003c\/strong\u003e The most appealing aspect of this bamboo root sculpture is the way the carver turned the natural strength and oddity of the material into character. Two frogs are shown locked together like sumo wrestlers, their heavy bodies, bent legs, and exaggerated eyes giving the piece a lively, humorous presence without becoming cartoonish.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"1306\" data-start=\"1012\"\u003eFrogs, or \u003cem data-end=\"1029\" data-start=\"1022\"\u003ekaeru\u003c\/em\u003e, are auspicious in Japan because the word also means “to return,” making them associated with safe return, good fortune, and money coming back. Here that symbolism is handled with warmth and wit: the frogs feel earthy, animated, and very much alive within the old bamboo root.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"1564\" data-start=\"1308\"\u003eThe surface has a deep brown patina with visible handling wear, age cracks, and irregularities that belong to the material. This is a strong small sculptural object for a shelf, desk, alcove, or collection of Japanese folk art and natural-material carving.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"1829\" data-start=\"1566\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-end=\"1579\" data-start=\"1566\"\u003eKeywords:\u003c\/strong\u003e Japanese bamboo root carving, sumo frogs, frog sculpture, kaeru, Japanese folk art, bamboo root sculpture, antique Japanese carving, mingei, Japanese animal sculpture, carved bamboo object, Japanese decorative art, auspicious frog, Sosaku Collection \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Sosaku Collection","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47989561065637,"sku":null,"price":0.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0477\/4258\/2949\/files\/BambooRootFrogSculpture00003.jpg?v=1783464477","url":"https:\/\/sosakucollection.com\/products\/antique-japanese-bamboo-root-sumo-frogs-sculpture","provider":"Sosaku Collection","version":"1.0","type":"link"}