Traditional Hokkaido Wooden Carving of Godzilla (1954)
Godzilla Store Exclusive
Preorder
Expected Ship date: January 2025
Final Sale, no returns or exchanges.
A dream collaboration between Godzilla and the traditional craft of Hokkaido, the “wooden carving of bears”! A popular souvenir from Hokkaido is a wooden carved bear. “What if a bear turned into Godzilla?” This fantasy has become a reality, and a very rare wooden carved Godzilla has joined the ranks of the Godzilla Store.
If the wooden carved bear is holding a salmon, then the wooden carved Godzilla is a train! Based on the famous scene from Godzilla (1954) where Godzilla is holding a train, this Godzilla is uniquely deformed, and features a rounded, cute wooden bear with a sense of dynamism that makes it seem as if it could move at any moment. Its impressive power is supported by its outstanding stability, which is more solid than its weight, and it is an eye-catching presence even as interior decoration. In addition, the paint that makes use of the beauty of the wood grain gives it a unique luster and warm finish. It shows a new expression every time you pick it up.
Each wooden Godzilla is carefully carved out of “sen”, a famous wood from Hokkaido. It is created by Hideo Kanno, a sculptor and woodcarver with a career of over half a century, who also serves as the chairman of the Asahikawa Wood Carving and Crafts Association.
Kanno’s works have won the Hokkaido Governor’s Award many times in competitions and have been used as souvenirs by successive Hokkaido governors when they visit overseas, making them literally first-class crafts that Hokkaido can be proud of around the world. In addition to souvenirs, Kanno has received a wide range of orders from all over the country, including benches on the observation deck of Asahikawa City Hall, Jizo statues placed in temple chapels, and entertainer signs at Osaka’s Namba Grand Kagetsu.
“I empathized with Godzilla because he’s not just rampaging, but also has a sad side to him,” said Kanno. He has been familiar with Godzilla since he was a child, and now that it has celebrated its 70th anniversary, he has boldly taken on the challenge at over 80 years old. His honed skills, insatiable creative drive, and strong service spirit to meet the needs of his customers are still alive and well. This handmade masterpiece, which he poured his heart and soul into, is imbued with Mr. Kanno’s wish that “everyone will be as strong and live each day with energy as Godzilla.”
Don’t miss out on the charm of wood carvings, whose texture improves over time.
Please note that as each piece is handmade, each one will have different characteristics, such as color and face.
Product Features
- Main body size: Length approx. 6.7 in, Height approx. 10.2 in, Width approx. 5.1 in (maximum)
- Wooden tag size: Length approx. 1.7 in, Height approx. 2.3 in, Width approx. 0.47 in (maximum)
- The photo is a product in production. Please note that the actual product may differ slightly as it is entirely made by hand.
Artist profile
- Name: Hideo Kanno
- Birthplace: Born in 1943 (Showa 18) in Asahikawa, Hokkaido
- Representative of Hokuto Kogeisha
- Chairman of the Asahikawa Woodcarving and Crafts Association
- Awards received
March 1964: Hokkaido Governor’s Award
April 1964: Hokkaido Governor’s Commendation
September 1964: Gold Award in the “Skill Competition”
November 1964: Asahikawa City Mayor’s Commendation
March 1965: Hokkaido Governor’s Award
October 1969: Hokkaido Governor’s Award
13 times and other awards in the Hokkaido Fine Folk Crafts Competition from 1976 to 1987
November 2012: Hokkaido Governor’s Award “Hokkaido Industry Contribution Award”
March 2014: Traditional Crafts Grand Prize “Maker Division Merit Award” in 2013
November 2014: Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare certified “Monozukuri Meister”
February 2021: Craft Competition 2020 “Judges’ Special Award”
