This finely crafted wooden ox figurine is a traditional Eto Itto-bori (干支一刀彫)—a one-knife wood carving representing the Year of the Ox (丑年)—sourced from Atsuta Jingū (熱田神宮), one of Japan’s most sacred Shintō shrines located in Nagoya.
Expertly carved from natural wood, the ox features bold, geometric facets and stylized form typical of the Itto-bori (一刀彫) style, a carving technique known for its sharp, angular cuts and unpainted simplicity. This minimalist approach highlights the warmth of the wood grain and the purity of the form, celebrating both the material and the craft. The animal’s expression is subtly detailed, with tiny hand-painted eyes that give it a sense of quiet strength.
Each year, shrines like Atsuta Jingū offer carved zodiac figures for New Year blessings, believed to bring good fortune, health, and protection. This ox, with its refined simplicity and spiritual provenance, is not only a collectible but also a piece of Japanese folk spirituality.
