affiliations:
Bird Carving and Wood Inlay by Haruo Uchiyama, Japan Bird Carving Society
biography:
Haruo Uchiyama is a Japanese master woodcarver whose life’s work has been dedicated to birds—both as artistic subjects and as ambassadors for conservation. Born in Nagano Prefecture in 1949, Uchiyama began his career studying fine art and traditional carving techniques. Over time, he developed a unique practice: creating lifelike wooden sculptures of birds and intricate inlay bird portraits with such accuracy and detail that they serve not only as art objects but also as educational tools. Uchiyama’s carvings are remarkable for their precision and colors often derived solely by selecting different colored woods. Every carving conveys a sense of vitality, and his subjects span a wide range, from Japanese endemics like the Short-tailed Albatross to clustered illustrations of seabird tribes, such as all the Puffins or all the Murrelets of the world. While Uchiyama has won many prestigious regional and global awards for his extraordinary artwork, and he is President of the Japan Bird Carving Association, what really sets Uchiyama apart is his focus on conservation. His work has been used in nature centers, museums, and field stations where living birds cannot be kept, and for blind people to ‘see’ birds through touch. The carvings help teach children, students, and the public about species that are endangered or difficult to observe. This educational role has made his carvings valuable tools for ornithologists and conservationists across Asia and internationally. Uchiyama has traveled widely, conducting workshops and collaborating with conservation groups to raise awareness of bird protection. Through his hands, blocks of wood become enduring testaments to biodiversity, inspiring care for the fragile species that share our planet.
creative work:
4 Puffins Wood Inlay (“Rakudo”)
This wood inlay containing all four species of puffins was crafted by legendary world champion wood carver Haruo Uchiyama using a centuries old method called (“Rakudo”). First, bird body-part-shaped pieces are cut from select wood planks of varying natural colors, and inlaid into place like a puzzle. The ~20 mm thick inlay is then sliced into 80 to 100 very thin sheets with a “Senn Plane”, which are then glued to a wood plank backing. Every slice looks the same, and is remarkable for its precision, natural beauty and accurate illustration of biological features.