From a yew timber that was used as a floor pillar in the house,

I received a request to carve a horse.

This was my first time carving yew wood,

Its firmness and weight were a perfect match for the horse's characteristics in this piece.

Apparently, yew wood was also used for the wooden bear carvings in Hokkaido.

I was able to truly appreciate that it is suitable as a material for sculpting.

From yew trees to Hokkaido, and then to the horses of Yururi Island in Hokkaido.

My imagination expanded after seeing a photobook by photographer Atsushi Okada.

I carved this while thinking of the two mares that live on Yururi Island.

The base features carvings that evoke the image of grass swaying in the wind.

It seems that an exhibition by Atsushi Okada will be held at the Tokyo Photographic Art Museum this December.

If you're interested, please check it out.