Japanese wood carving artist Akihiko Yoshida, who identifies himself as Nikichi on Instagram and other social media platforms, is a master at carving oh-so-cute animals. His touch is so delicate that his wood creations appear like fluffy soft toys!
For the past nine years, Nikichi has developed his unique wood carving technique and is always on the lookout for new and original ideas. His subjects generally revolve around animals and he portrays them in all their moods and expressions. He endeavors to create a mythical world through his creations, catering to the instincts and tastes of his wild animals.
Give this incredible woodcarver a piece of wood and he’ll make it work. However, not any wood would do for him, he specifically sources it from trees growing in Hokkaido, the northmost of Japan’s main islands. It’s his deft touch and fine carving that brings out his subjects in such remarkable details and with the right expressions. Sample his pair of polar bears hugging each other or the two cats cuddling each other. They all look so happy and at ease.
Nikichi has held many solo and group exhibitions. His animal-themed creations have adorned various galleries in Japan, such as Sapporo Mitsukoshi Gallery, Ginza Mitsukoshi Gallery, Sapporo Tea Hall Homura Nikichi Exhibition, and many more. He has also exhibited his creations made during the Rebun era at iichi.com. He’s currently involved in major work for displaying in his solo exhibition.








Akihiko Yoshida
If you’ve seen the movie ‘The Lord of the Rings’, you’d know the importance of a ring. Although what the film depicts is fictitious, the significance of a ring remains. It’s quite …
Dianne Sutherland was passionate about art from her very childhood and was clear about pursuing art as a career. This was the reason why she chose to enroll in an art school …
It seems this gifted Brazilian was born with art in his blood. Just a year after he’d taken a course in artistic drawings with Edegar Cavalheiro, he not only began his career …
Almost anything can trigger creativity in an already gifted person. For example, take the case of Bernard Pras. When this French painter, photographer, and sculptor, found out from a chemist that cadmium …
A look at the night sky, away from the dazzling lights of the metros, reveals millions of stars. But that’s as far as our eyes can discern. The cosmos holds billions of …
This artist rekindles the belief in miracles, for how can a two-year-old, who’s barely able to hold a pen, get so passionate about drawing that by the age of 15, he’s able …
Adrien Miller values the beauty that brings about well-being. With this as his guiding principle, he creates intricate face sculptures on ceramic pieces of utility, such as food platters, mugs, teapots, etc., …
Ceren, who identifies herself as Kayra Handmade on the web, is a lawyer from Ankara, Turkey, but instead of practicing law full-time, she devotes half her time to her hobby of making …
How to turn a perfectly beautiful face into a hideous and scary one, you can learn from Maureen Alexandra Naudts. This makeup artist, content creator, and self-styled beauty guru have a penchant …

