Cast Iron Bear Paperweight

A vintage cast iron paperweight from Muroran, Hokkaido. Shaped after the island of Hokkaido, the piece features a sculpted bear at its center, bringing together two symbols closely associated with the region.
 
The reverse is marked “MURORAN,” referencing Hokkaido’s historic iron and steel city. Finished in black cast iron with its original orange ribbon, this small souvenir object has a strong graphic and almost brutalist character.