This charming Eto Ittō-bori (干支一刀彫) figure depicts the Ox (丑 / Ushi), the second animal of the Japanese zodiac. Made in a simple, rustic carving style, it comes from Kitano Tenmangū (北野天満宮) in Kyoto, one of Japan’s most important Tenjin shrines.
The ox holds a particularly special place at Kitano Tenmangū. Numerous ox statues, known as nade-ushi (撫で牛), can be found throughout the shrine grounds, where visitors traditionally stroke them while praying for good health, wisdom, and success in learning.
This small wooden figure is carved with bold, visible knife cuts characteristic of ittō-bori, a style that celebrates the direct marks of the carving tool rather than hiding them through excessive smoothing. The pale natural wood is left largely unpainted, with only restrained accents added to the ears, hooves, eyes, and nose. Its compact body and angular planes give it a wonderfully expressive folk-art quality.
In Japanese zodiac symbolism, the Ox represents patience, diligence, reliability, perseverance, and steady progress. These qualities harmonize beautifully with Kitano Tenmangū’s strong association with scholarship and learning, making the ox an especially meaningful talisman for students, examinations, and personal achievement.
Size: 8 x 4 x 4cm
