ZHONG CHENG

Japanese woodcarving artist Akihiko Yoshida, also known as "Nikichi", was born in 1954. At the age of 24, he opened a workshop on Rebun Island in Hokkaido and began his career as an artist. Over the decades, he has created tens of thousands of works with an infinite variety of shapes and meticulously crafted details, all expressing his passion for woodcarving.

Yoshida's style is distinct, using anthropomorphized animals to convey personal thoughts or emotions, with each sculpture accompanied by graceful poetry that serves as a spiritual diary. His delicate carving technique gives his works an ethereal and lightweight quality reminiscent of porcelain, with animal movements that transcend realistic proportions yet still look harmonious. The animals in his works are all depicted with closed eyes and gentle smiles, evoking a sense of peace and serenity. Yoshida has held numerous solo and group exhibitions at galleries such as Sapporo Mitsukoshi and Ginza Mitsukoshi.