Iku-pasuy are traditional artifacts necessary for Ainu ceremonies and rituals. They are known as "prayer sticks" and dipping this stick in a bowl of wine was considered to be the way to communicate with the gods.
Sunazawa’s work remained largely focused on the woodcarving he began in his youth. His wood sculptures, featuring biomorphic forms and brimming with vitality, range from delicate small works to imposing monuments. Late in life he produced dynamic…