青森県の伝統工芸品（善知鳥彫ダルマ）

世界にたった一つだけの一刀彫ダルマ「善知鳥彫ダルマ」

善知鳥彫ダルマは青森県の文化振興に功績のあった今克巳が県の工芸品振興のために大正10年ごろより取り組んだのが始まりである。ロダンの作品からヒントを得たという、深紅の衣に包まれた痩身のダルマが前方を見据えるという独特な風貌は、悟りを開き座禅から立ち上がって前に足を踏み出そうとする姿を表現している。
名前はその昔青森県にいた「善知鳥」という鳥にちなんで名付けられた。樹木の自然な割れを最大限に生かしたそのダルマは、一つとして同じものがない。



“Uto” Carved Daruma Figurines - the only Daruma figurines in the world made by the ‘ittobori’ wood sculpting method

“Uto” Carved Daruma Figurines were first created around 1921 by Katsumi Kon, a strong promoter of the arts in Aomori Prefecture. Inspired by Auguste Rodin's works, these Daruma figurines are characterized by their lean bodies draped in red clothing, and seem to stare straight ahead. Their appearance suggests that of Buddhist enlightenment, in which they have emerged from meditation and are about to step up to a higher path.
The artist named his work after the ‘uto’ bird, which lived in Aomori at that time. Pieces of wood that have naturally broken off from trees are used to produce these sculptures and create a truly unique work of art.