This papier-mâché sculpture of a rooster is a work by Sawada Seiko, a distinguished Japanese sculptor awarded the Order of Culture The piece is created using the traditional hariko technique, in which layers of washi paper are applied to a wooden mold, dried, removed, and then shaped and painted Hariko has been practiced in Japan since the 15th century and is valued as a traditional form of folk and sculptural art An inscription on the reverse of the paulownia wood box reads “Showa 8, Year of the Rooster, New Year’s Day,” indicating that this work was made to mark New Year’s Day in 1933 The artist’s signature appears both on the storage box and on the underside of the sculpture, confirming its authorship This work combines folk tradition with sculptural sensitivity and stands as a rare early example of Sawada Seiko’s artistic output --- Artist Profile 1894 Born in Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan 1926 Graduated from the Sculpture Department of Tokyo Fine Arts School 1979 Awarded the Order of Culture 1988 Died --- Accessories Original wooden storage box tomobako included --- Dimensions & Weight Height 16 cm Depth 15.5 cm Width 12 cm Weight 139 g Box size 15 × 18 × 19.5 cm --- Technique & Condition Material Paper Technique Sculpture Good condition with signs of age appropriate to the period --- Shipping Shipping via Japan Post EMS from Japan Items are shipped only to countries where EMS delivery from Japan is available Items are securely packed to ensure safe international delivery Import duties, VAT, and customs handling fees are the sole responsibility of the buyer For bidders in the United States Please note that Japan Post is currently not accepting EMS shipments of commercial goods to the United States If the winning bidder’s shipping address is in the United States, the item will be shipped via DHL Express instead Please be aware that shipping costs via DHL are significantly higher than EMS rates