From the Playground of the Gods

Book excerpt: "Bikky Sunazawa's art was unknown in North America and relatively little-known outside Hokkaido, Japan, when the Smithsonian opened its special Ainu exhibition [in 1999]. Conceived to explore the relationship of history, culture, and art of the Ainu people with other North Pacific native groups, the exhibition included a large section of contemporary Ainu sculpture, painting, graphic arts, and textile arts. The largest body of work was sculptures created by Bikky Sunazawa. . . . This is the first English-language book devoted to Bikky's life and the most complete presentation of his principal artworks. . . . [It] is the most comprehensive treatment of the artist who became the pivot point in the development of modern Ainu fine art." --from the Preface by William W. Fitzhugh