Ozaki Tsuyoshi

Woodcarver (1971– )

Born in 1954 in Mukawa Town, Hokkaido.
He began woodcarving when his older brother started carving bear sculptures. In 1971, he moved to Nibutani in Biratori Town, where he learned under the late woodcarver Kaizawa Moriyuki. He started by carving salmon reliefs and menoko (women) reliefs, eventually becoming independent.

While his signature works include tasiro (moutain knives), he also creates traditional daily tools such as sayokasup (※1) and sitopera (※2), as well as ritual implements like ikupasuy (※3), kamuy) and tuki (cups). Through his work, he is dedicated to passing down Ainu traditional culture.

In his woodcarving, he pays special attention to the overall balance of patterns and the aesthetic quality of the ramram-noka (fish-scale pattern carving).

In addition to producing carved wooden crafts, he participated with the late Shigeru Kayano in building cise (traditional Ainu houses) throughout Hokkaido. Using the skills and knowledge he gained, he now leads the restoration and reconstruction of cise in Nibutani Kotan.

He is also actively involved in mentoring younger generations to ensure that the Ainu traditions are carried on and to help create a stable environment for the future.

A member of the Nibutani Craft Association and one of the certified artisans of the traditional craft Nibutani Ita.

※1 Sayokasup: large wooden ladle used for porridge
※2 Sitopera: large wooden spatula used for making dumplings
※3 Ikupasuy: libation stick used to convey prayers to the gods

Career Highlights

2000 — Instructor for “Woodcarving Experience” at the Biratori Municipal Nibutani Ainu Culture Museum project

2009 — Supervisor for “Cise (Traditional House) Restoration” in the Biratori Regional Iwor Revitalization Project

2011 — Instructor for the reproduction project of Cip by the Biratori Branch of the Hokkaido Ainu Association

2023 — Leader of the renovation project of asikne cise by the Biratori Town Ainu Culture Promotion Corporation

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